MS Dhoni Retirement News: Here’s What Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar & Other Former Cricketers Have to Say on MSD

Ever since India’s journey in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ended with the semi-final loss to New Zealand, MS Dhoni’s retirement plans became a new buzz among Indian cricket fans. Earlier, rumours were rife that the 38-year-old cricketer may announce his retirement post World Cup 2019. As the Indian team is set to visit West Indies for a full-fledged tour involving ODIs, T20s and Tests, cricket fans are eager to know about Dhoni’s future plans in cricket. As the matter of MS Dhoni’s retirement is taking a toll, many former Indian cricketers like Dilip Vengsarkar, Kiran More, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir expressed their views over the topic. MS Dhoni Retirement on Fans’ Mind After India Face Defeat Against New Zealand in Cricket World Cup 2019 Semi-Final. 

With MS Dhoni keeping silence over his future plans in cricket, it has become tough for selectors to take a decision on his induction into the squad. Expressing his ideas over the same, former Indian cricket team skipper Vengsarkar told Times of India that selectors have to go ahead with courage and conviction. Vengsarkar also mentioned that selectors have to find which players suit their Test, ODI and T2O squads according to their performance, and then create options. This way, Vengsarkar felt that selectors can create road maps for the future. MS Dhoni Retirement Speculations – Why Is This the Right Time for the Indian Legend to Bid Goodbye. 

The former Indian wicket-keeper Kiran More feels that selectors need to ensure communication with the former Indian skipper over the matter. More said that selectors should meet Dhoni and enquire about his plans. They should convey their future plans of the team to MS since communication is vital.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag told a news channel that selectors should convey their message to Dhoni and the latter should be allowed to decide when he wants to hang his boots. Sehwag said that it is the duty of Indian selectors to inform Dhoni about their plans for Indian team’s future wicket-keeper. MS Dhoni Has Not Told Us Anything About Retirement, Says Virat Kohli. 

Likewise, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir while talking over the matter to a news channel said that it is time for selectors to look into the future. He said that young players are needed for the next World Cup and we should take practical decisions rather than emotional. Gambhir stressed that youngsters should now be given opportunities. Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan or any other wicket-keeper who has the potential should be made the wicketkeeper. This way, we can decide who will be India’s wicket-keeper in World Cup 2023.

Earlier after India’s exit from World Cup 2019, batting great Sachin Tendulkar had said that retirement is MS Dhoni’s personal decision and everyone should respect that. Tendulkar said that Dhoni has contributed a lot to Indian cricket and he should the one taking the decision of his retirement.  Earlier, Indian skipper Virat Kohli had informed that Dhoni haven’t said anything to anyone about his retirement plans. "No he hasn't told us anything as of now," Kohli said when asked if Dhoni told him anything regarding his retirement plans.

MS Dhoni’s deteriorating batting form and growing age have made selectors to find a replacement for the Indian wicket-keeper. Now with the prominent future tournaments like World T20 2020 and World Cup 2023 in focus, selectors want to induct a stable young wicket-keeper in the team, who will be able to replace MS Dhoni in future.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2019 02:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).