Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, who retired from the game in January this year, has poured his thoughts on MS Dhoni’s sudden retirement decision. On 15th August, Dhoni took Instagram to officially announce his retirement from international cricket but he would continue playing in IPL.

Irfan Pathan and MS Dhoni have shared a dressing room for quite a considerable time. Both have led Team India to several victories but the special memory they share might be the T20 World Cup 2007 triumph. Pathan was also the man of the match in the grand finale of that tournament.

Dhoni Would Have Pushed Himself Had the T20 World Cup Not Been Postponed: Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan reasoned why Dhoni would have announced his retirement around this time. According to him, Dhoni would have pushed his career if the T20 World Cup 2020 had not been postponed. He added that the former Indian captain would have kept himself fit and mentally trained if the scheduled mega event was not suspended.

“Obviously, we all were talking about what’s going to happen with MS Dhoni going ahead because he has been an absolute legend of the game and he has achieved so much,” Irfan Pathan said while talking to Cricketnext.

“But there is not much cricket in terms of T20 or one-day going ahead. The T20 World Cup is also going to happen at the end of the next year. If the T20 World Cup would have been there in Australia, we would have seen Dhoni pushing himself and keeping himself fit to that level, and that mindset as well,” he added.

“But now the World Cup isn’t happening and this news has come. It was inevitable. All the legends retire one day, and today is the day of Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” he said.

MS Dhoni last played for India in the World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand where India faced the defeat. Now, the great showman will be seen in action for Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL edition in the UAE from 19th September.