Ajay Ratra who is a former Indian wicket-keeper batsman like the recently retired MS Dhoni said that the reason behind the decision of MS Dhoni to retire could be due to the postponed T20I World Cup which was slated to be held in Australia in October November but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The postponement of the T20I World Cup meant MS Dhoni who was last seen in Indian colours in the 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand will get to play one and half years later. T20I World Cup will be subsequently held in 2021 in India and 2022 in Australia provided the situation improves.
MS Dhoni retired earlier from Test cricket in 2014 to give more opportunity to the likes of Wriddhiman Saha but continued to ply his trade in limited-overs white-ball cricket. His average of 50.53 in 350 ODIs where he scored 10773 runs is exceptional.
His performance in T20I wherein 98 matches he had scored 1617 runs averaging 37.6 is also very good. Besides that, he is the only captain to win all three ICC trophies-the T20I World Cup in 2007, the ODI world cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.
Ajay Ratra: MS Dhoni Retirement Right Decision
Covid-19 has taken the lives of thousands of common people across the globe and resulted in strict measures like quarantine, and lockdowns to prevent spreading beside the cancellation and postponement of several sporting events. IPL 2020 has been moved abroad to UAE from India and will see MS Dhoni in action again.
“Looking at the scenario, we had the feeling that MS (Dhoni) was looking to participate in this year’s T20 World Cup and even the team management was also looking at him as an option. With the tournament being postponed due to the pandemic and the next World T20 nearly than one and half years away, he finally decided to call it quits. I think it was the right decision and he signed off in his own style by posting a message on Instagram,” the former India cricketer said.
MS Dhoni will, however, continue to play in IPL besides captaining his franchise CSK. He has been invited to play in other global leagues like ‘The Hundred’ but will only participate if the board BCCI permits him to play.
When asked about what could be Dhoni’s next move the former wicketkeeper-batsman said, “He’s still going to be play the IPL so we are going to watch him on the cricket pitch in the future as well. The kind of captain he is, CSK would want him to play for as long as he wants. Also, he has his academies in India, as well as abroad, so he’s going to be engaged with his business.
So his schedule is still going to be a tight one. Also, I have read some reports that he’s getting invited to play in The Hundred in England. So you see, he still has a lot of cricket left and who knows, we might see him playing in other T20 leagues. But you can’t really say much about Dhoni’s future plans because there’s always an air of mystery around him.”
Ajay Ratra said that the Jharkhand cricketer MS Dhoni did not succumb to pressure ever but dominated the cricketing world by paying like a king according to the situation and he might play the upcoming IPL with ease and relaxation.
When questioned if the fans will see him play freely, now that the pressure of international cricket is off his shoulders, the Faridabad-based former cricketer said: “Pressure is always going to be there with a cricketer, be it international format or domestic league. So, I don’t think so he’s ever been bogged down by pressure.”
“He’s played like a king and dominated the world cricket. He’s always played as per the demand of the situation. But definitely, you might see him more relaxed when he plays in the IPL and he might enjoy the game more.”
MS Dhoni retired by posting on Instagram which was the right decision according to Ajay Ratra.
Ajay Ratra: Rishabh Pant And Sanju Samson Must Perform Well In IPL
Ajay Ratra has also advised youngsters like Sanju Samson and Risabh Pant to play well in IPL to draw selectors’ attention as the focus shifts to them to fill MS Dhoni’s shoes and cement their places in the limited-overs white-ball cricket in particular.
“Yes, it will be a good opportunity for both Rishabh and Sanju, as well as other young wicketkeeper-batsmen, to perform well and draw the attention of the selectors. As of now KL Rahul is doing a decent job behind the stumps but it depends on the team management whether they want to put that extra burden on Rahul or not. But having said that, it will be important that the likes of Rishabh and Sanju should compete amongst themselves and fight for the slot. Healthy competition is going to raise their game.”
Ajay Ratra also said that Uttar Pradesh batsman Suresh Raina who is six years younger than MS Dhoni to follow suit was a bit early since he is a good athlete and sound batsman but a late surgery possibly could be the reason behind his call to retire from the international scene.
“If you ask me, it was a little early because he’s a good athlete and a sound batsman but he’s had a surgery off late and that might have been a reason for him to take a call on his international career.”
Ajay Ratra remembers MS Dhoni from the plate semi-final in Chandigarh when he was Haryana’s captain. Despite being on the losing side, MS Dhoni scored a rapid century and hit sixes despite fielders being placed near boundary ropes. He realized that the Ranchi cricketer who played for Jharkhand in the match was going to be a big name in international cricket.
“I remember we were playing a plate semi-final in Chandigarh and I was the captain of Haryana team in that game. We won that match after posting a huge total and Jharkhand were chasing but let me tell you, Dhoni’s style of batting was the same. He scored a quick hundred in that game and at one stage we had placed fielders near the boundary ropes but he continued hitting sixes. That day I realised that he’s someone special.”
Ajay Ratra had featured in only 6 tests and 12 ODIs for India but has played for Haryana, Goa, and Tripura in Ranji Trophy, and overall he played in 99 first-class matches.