M.S. Dhoni’s retirement has become a national debate now as people with different opinions taking their guards and tipping the Indian ODI skipper with their own thoughts but now it is the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar who has spoken about M.S. Dhoni’s retirement, “ Alt (his performance) shouldn’t be related to age. I still remember there were articles that T20 is meant for youngsters, which is all wrong. I mean, Brad Hogg is playing at 44. It’s wrong to say that I scored a double hundred in ODIs at 38. Fitness is all that matters. If a player is physically fit, mentally in a state of mind to play for India, let that be his choice. He knows his mind and body better than anyone else. He’s the best judge. Leave the matters to him,” Tendulkar told Times of India in an interview.
Through this, Master Blaster has clearly sent a message that it should be Dhoni’s wish whether he has to play or hang up his boots. It is a fact that the external pressure from media and critics forced Dhoni to retire from Test cricket, mid-way the Test series against Australia. There was the same kind of pressure on him after semi-final loss against Australia in World Cup 2015 but that time Dhoni stood strong and did not bend ahead of any critics. The pressure to retire increased manifolds when India lost in the semi-final against West Indies in T20 World Cup 2016 but Dhoni, with his epic reply to the journalist, showed that he has the intention to play 2019 World Cup.
Looking at the current composition of the Indian team, it is a fact that we do not have a finisher and wicketkeeper who can replace Dhoni in One-day cricket. The maximum Dhoni can do is to quit the captaincy but Indian team needs him desperately till 2019 World Cup or maybe beyond that.
Tendulkar also talked about Anil Kumble, who won the race the coach of Indian cricket team by defeating more than 50 competitors in the line as he said, “Having played, practised, sharing the dressing room with Anil, I know that he’ll not leave a single stone unturned. He’ll give his best at all times. He’s played his game the hard way, so he’ll get the players to have the same attitude.”
Anil Kumble’s appointment as coach was somehow made controversial when all this Ravi Shastri saga happened but everything is sorted out now and Indian team has performed exceptionally well in all the formats of the game till now.
Will Sachin Tendulkar be present at Wankhede Stadium for the fourth Test?
Answering to this question he said, “I’m travelling around that time, so I’m not sure. I might come in between the Test to watch a bit of action. I’m happy, though, that the MCA has arranged tickets for some underprivileged children from Apnalaya, an NGO and a cause which I and Anjali (his wife) have been supporting for the last 20 years.”
The fourth Test between India and England starts from December 7. Though Indian team is ahead by a margin of 2-0 in the series but they have to be wary of the fact that it is the same ground where England team made a comeback in the series on their last tour to India. A cautious Indian team has asked a curator to prepare a bald pitch so that to keep the game in favour of batsmen on all five days of the game.