From Harbhajan Singh to Indian vice-captain Rohit Sharma, players and even cricket experts spoke a lot about MS Dhoni’s future ever since the legendary wicketkeeper chose to take a long sabbatical in the wake of India’s ICC World Cup tournament exit at the hands of New Zealand last year.
Meanwhile, the cash-rich Indian Premier League has been suspended for an indefinite period due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis which has, in fact, delayed MS Dhoni’s much-awaited return to the cricket field. The wicketkeeper-batsman was expected to get back in full swing after his nine-month-long sabbatical since the last year’s World Cup semi-final against the eventual runners-up New Zealand.
Ever since India chief coach Ravi Shastri told in a press conference about MS Dhoni’s comeback is totally based on his performance in the Indian Premier League, many fans were eagerly waiting for the 13th edition of IPL as it was the right platform for the 38-year-old MS Dhoni to prove his form and fitness.
Aakash Chopra on the return of MS Dhoni to Team India:
Meanwhile, cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra reckons that it is a huge misconception that MS Dhoni’s comeback to the Indian team was dependent on Indian Premier League.
“It’s a huge misconception that Dhoni’s comeback to the Indian team was dependent on his performance in the IPL,” Aakash Chopra was quoted as saying by news agency IANS. “If that is how we will view Dhoni as a player and his career and what he has achieved as a player, then I think we are just knocking at the wrong door, because it’s not right.”
We might not see MS Dhoni play for India again: Aakash Chopra
Chopra added that if the team management, led by captain Virat Kohli and coach Shastri, really want MS Dhoni to be back in the scheme of things, then nothing would stop MS Dhoni from donning the Indian colours again.
“See, if the team wants him to play, all that will happen. But if the IPL doesn’t take place this year, the T20 World Cup doesn’t happen this year, (then), of course, he will be a year older; and with him out of the cricket for more than 18 months, you can assume that you might not see him play again for India,” Aakash Chopra added.
With IPL suspended for an indefinite period, there is no clarity as to when the live cricket action will resume. Recently, former Indian captain and current commentator Sunil Gavaskar told that the live sports would take at least five months to resume while also adding that playing behind closed doors is the last resort.