Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Thursday dropped from the BCCI’s list of centrally contracted players in the senior men’s team for the year 2020-21. The move has definitely confused cricket fans. The former ‘finisher’ has not played since the World Cup semifinal loss against New Zealand, and this has generated questions over his retirement in the cricket world.
Dhoni, who made his debut in an ODI match against Bangladesh in 2004, has done a brilliant job as a cricketer and a captain in the Indian team. Under his leadership, India won three trophies―the 2007 ICC World T20, 2011 ICC World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Dhoni holds several records and a batting average of 51.09, which is the fifth highest among the cricketers. The right-handed, middle-order batsman has also shined behind the wicket, holding the record for the most stumpings in ODI cricket.
ALSO READ
- IPL 2024: Dhoni-Jadeja combo takes CSK to 176/6 against gritty LSG
- Most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in IPL: Can Sanju Samson, KL Rahul ever surpass MS Dhoni's record?
- Top 10 batters with most sixes in IPL: Virat Kohli surpasses MS Dhoni | Gayle, Pollard and others
- MS Dhoni helped Shivam Dube become a batter who no longer ducks short balls
However, since India's exit from the 2019 World Cup, questions over Dhoni’s retirement has become a hot topic of discussion. Dhoni was run out inches short of the crease during India’s critical run-chase against New Zealand in the semifinal. Having scored 50 off 72 balls, the wicket-keeper-batsman was dismissed by a throw from Martin Guptill, leading Dhoni to regret not having dived to the crease. The 18-run loss sealed India’s fate in the quadrennial event.
Now, the 38-year-old’s removal from the Board for Control of Cricket’s list of contracted players has reignited the debate over his retirement. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh’s recent statement that the World Cup-winning captain may not play for India again as he has “made up his mind long back” has sent his fans into a frenzy―which is evidently no surprise as fans were seen chanting Dhoni’s name during India’s 10-wicket loss to Australia in the first ODI in Mumbai on Tuesday after K.L. Rahul, who was moonlighting as the wicket-keeper following Rishabh Pant's injury, had dropped a catch. Fans and cricket enthusiasts have said that the result would have been different if Dhoni were behind the wickets. Dhoni’s finishing skills and ability to make decisions under pressure were also brought up. If it's any consolation, the Chennai Super King’s ‘Thala’ is likely to make his comeback in IPL 2020.
