Recently, there was a sudden rumour on the social media about the former Indian World Cup-winning captain MS Dhoni’s retirement, which his wife Sakshi Singh Dhoni quashed immediately. The 38-year-old English left-arm spinner Monty Panesar believes that Dhoni should not retire, rather than he should target for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The 38-year-old MS Dhoni last time played a recognised cricket match during the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, where India suffered a defeat despite the strong late fight from Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni. Since then, he made himself unavailable for the national team selection.
While Dhoni hasn’t clarified about the future of his international career, he was ready to return to the game during the IPL 2020, which has been postponed for an indefinite period amid coronavirus outbreak. As the coronavirus has pressed the pause button on the game, Dhoni’s return to the game is more uncertain.
Monty Panesar feels that Dhoni still can continue the game. Panesar believes that Dhoni can play next four IPL seasons as well as can even feature in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which India will organise.
According to Times Now, Panesar claimed, “If I was Dhoni, I would not retire, just play in the IPL for the next four years and think I can play in next the World Cup if I keep playing domestic cricket. He could even play in the 2023 World Cup. He could be playing in the 2023 World Cup because in sports, things change very quickly.”
IPL cannot afford to lose MS Dhoni: Monty Panesar
If Dhoni decides to retire from international cricket soon, Panesar believes that Dhoni should continue his IPL career as the cash-rich tournament can’t afford to lose Dhoni in the present situation. The English left-arm spinner believes that people will be attractive to the IPL in this case.
Panesar added, “He has to take a call – if he is to retire, what will be the impact on the cricket world? People would then tune into IPL to watch Dhoni play because they cannot see him anywhere else. That would be a big attraction in the IPL. IPL cannot afford to lose Dhoni.”
MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is one of the most successful T20 sides who have won three IPL trophies (2010, 2011 and 2018) and two now-defunct Champions League T20s (2010 and 2014).