MS Dhoni may be requested by the Indian Prime Minister to play next T20 World Cup, according to former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar. He added on the same breadth that it would be great to see him in action because T20 World Cup will be played in India. The T20 World Cup was originally supposed to be held in Australia from around October or November 2020 but was postponed to 2021 in India following the Covid-19 pandemic which also saw IPL postponed and shifted from India to UAE in 2020.
Shoaib Akhtar shared his thoughts on MS Dhoni’s retirement and his probable future plans during interaction on the YouTube channel ‘BolWasim’. MS Dhoni who has been instrumental by leading his team to 2007 T20 and 2011 World Cup wins. After winning the 2013 Champions Trophy, he laid his hands on all the three ICC trophies becoming the first and only captain to date to do so.
MS Dhoni Could Have Retired After T20I World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar
He said that MS Dhoni could have played the upcoming deferred T20 World Cup but it was a personal option for the former skipper. He said that MS Dhoni has contributed immensely to the success of India and the country regards him and rates him highly. He expects that India would give him a grand farewell if MS Dhoni who is 39 years old wants to be a part of the T20 matches.
“I think he could have played T20 cricket, he could have gone on to play the T20 World Cup. And the way India supports its stars, the way they love them and recognises them, they would have played him in T20s. But it was his personal choice.
“But again he has won everything, a person from Ranchi has rocked the whole of India, what else do you need. At the end of the day, the world should remember you. And a nation like India, they will never let you get forgetted,” he maintained.
“India will be geared up to give him a farewell game, trust me. If he doesn’t want, it is a different thing but India will be ready. The whole stadium will be booked for him to play a couple of T20 matches and then go after that.”
He predicted a strong performance from the CSK captain in the upcoming IPL while mentioning that India gives the maximum support and unconditionally loves the stars very much.
“He is going to hit a lot in the upcoming IPL, he has not retired yet from the IPL. He is a great guy. Whatever he has got is because of his great intentions, his hard work. In the whole world if you are a star, you should be born in India. The amount of love they give, I feel no other country does that much.”
“I think he will stay with Chennai. I think he will play for couple of years and then think after that. There is a possibility that he may disappear altogether, he is a quiet guy. But as of now he is playing the IPL. I think he wants to win one or two more titles in the IPL.”
The express pacer who represented Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural IPL in 2008 feels that MS Dhoni will probably play the next two seasons before considering retirement after winning a few more titles in the IPL. His quiet nature meant that he may retire from the spotlight after playing for Chennai Super Kings for another two years in all probability.
Shoaib Akhtar: Imran Khan’s Example May Be Followed By Indian Prime Minister Who Could Request MS Dhoni And Convince Him To Play
Shoaib Akhtar cited the example of then Pakistan president General Zia-ul-Haq who asked the current Prime Minister former skipper Imran Khan to reconsider retiring thus prolonging his career. Imran Khan played the 1992 World Cup and despite losing a few initial matches made up for the losses by winning the World Cup for Pakistan for their first and only time.
“You never know, the Prime Minister may call him and request him to play the T20 World Cup. That is also possible. Imran Khan was asked by General Zia-ul-Haq not to leave cricket after 1987 and he played. You cannot say no to the Prime Minister,” he said.
MS Dhoni’s fans want him to leave on a high after winning the T20 World Cup in India if he intends to participate after being requested by the Prime Minister of India.
“Definitely, the World Cup is in India and they should request him to play his last World Cup. The country loves him so much. I think it is the best for him. I think the Prime Minister of India should request him and tell him to leave after winning India his last World Cup,” he stated.
It is to note that MS Dhoni has led India in each of the previous six editions including winning the inaugural title in 2007 in South Africa.