Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has opined that he does not see MS Dhoni playing the next World Cup and captain Virat Kohli or someone else should have the courage to take a decision to groom youngsters.
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“I feel that retirement is a very individual decision. Till the time you want to play you are allowed to play, but you do have to look at the future as well. I do not see Dhoni playing the next World Cup,” he told Indian Express.
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“So whoever is the captain (then), Virat or anyone else, should have the courage to say so, that this player is not fitting into the scheme of things. It’s time for some of the youngsters to get groomed in the next four-five years because ultimately it is not about Dhoni, it is about the country,” Gambhir added.
Dhoni, the former India captain, was expected to take a call on his career after World Cup 2019 but he hasn’t retired from the game yet. He is currently on a break and isn’t also available for the Bangladesh series that takes place in November.
There is still uncertainty over Dhoni’s international future and it is not clear whether he will be donning national jersey or not. Although there are no signs of retirement from him as well.
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In his absence, Rishabh Pant has been given consistent run in ODIs and T20Is and is expected to be given more chances to let him settle in white-ball cricket. It remains to be seen if Dhoni makes a comeback; should Rishabh fail to capitalise on the opportunity.
India, presently, do not have a backup to Rishabh in white-ball cricket that will see the left-handed batsman get more chances. He sealed his spot in red-ball cricket in the absence of Wriddhiman Saha.
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Dhoni can make a comeback in ODIs but keeping in mind next two T20 World Cups, it is unlikely that he will be part of that squad. Last year, he was dropped from the T20I team for West Indies and Australia series.
For now, it is confirmed that he will be leading three-time IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings, during IPL 2020. He is likely to take a call on his international career after the conclusion of IPL only but it is not clear whether he will play for Men in Blue or not.