“MS Dhoni should Leave Cricket” – Says Shoaib Akhtar

Published 04/12/2020, 12:28 PM EDT

Follow Us

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar believes that MS Dhoni should have left cricket after the 2019 World Cup. He also said that Dhoni has stretched his retirement too much. 

The former Indian captain MS Dhoni was last seen on the match field in July 2019. He played in the semi-final match of the 2019 World Cup against New Zealand. India lost the match to Kiwis and was out of the tournament. After that, there has been no news regarding the comeback of Mahi in the team. 

Though many assumed that he has taken silent retirement, but the people close to him said otherwise. Some of his friends and childhood coach have revealed that Mahi is willing to play for India and is preparing for T20 World Cup. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Earlier there was news that MS will return in the National Team if he plays well in IPL 2020. Dhoni is the skipper of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. However, IPL 2020 is unlikely to happen due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country. With the suspension of IPL, the return of MS in the team is uncertain. 

MS Dhoni should get a grand farewell: Shoaib Akhtar

Recently, Shoaib Akhtar expressed his thoughts on MS Dhoni. Akhtar revealed that Dhoni has dragged it for too long and should have taken the retirement after the World Cup. 

Former Pakistan pacer told PTI, “This guy has served to the best of his ability. He should leave cricket with dignity. I don’t know why he dragged it for so long. He should have retired after the World Cup,” 

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

He further asked, “If I would have been in his place, I would have hung up my boots. I could have played shorter formats for three-four years but I left (after the 2011 WC) as I wasn’t into the game 100 percent. So why drag?”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“When he could not finish the game in the semifinal (against New Zealand). I felt he should have retired but he can only answer why he didn’t,” Shoaib said. 

Shoaib Akhtar also admitted that a player like Dhoni deserves a special and grand farewell. 

The 44-year-old said, “As a country, you should let him go with a lot of respect and dignity. Give him a nice send-off. He has won you the World Cup and done wonders for India. He is a wonderful human being at the same time. But right now, he seems to be stuck,” 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Akhtar signed off saying, “He should have played a farewell series after the World Cup may be and then said goodbye in a manner befitting his great stature.” 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Sakshi Jain

292Articles

One take at a time