MS Dhoni Likely to Take Call on His Future Post IPL 2020

Former India captain MS Dhoni will take a call on his future after next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), a source close to him said on Tuesday which will probably end the speculation surrounding his career. Dhoni has not played a single game ever since India’s semifinal exit from the ICC World Cup in England in July. Even he has missed the tour of the West Indies and the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh as well.

“If at all MS will take a call on his future, it will only be after the IPL. You can’t stop speculation as he is such a big player. He is in the best shape possible fitness-wise and has been training hard for the last one month,” the source told PTI. “However the number of competitive games he will play before the IPL will be decided in due course.”

Dhoni has successfully captained Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and won the title more than once. He will also miss the limited-overs home series against the West Indies which is scheduled to start from December 6 and comprising three T20Is and as many ODIs.

Moreover, National selection committee chairman MSK Prasad has already said that they have “moved on” and are focusing on Rishabh Pant keeping in mind next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, although Pant has failed to utilize his chances and has faced criticism for sloppy work behind the stumps as well. Dhoni, on the other hand, has not uttered a single word on his future yet.

However, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has earlier stated that Dhoni will get the respect what he deserves and he had ruled out immediate retirement speculation of him as well. “You know champions don’t finish quickly,” he had stated when he took over as the Board President last month.

MS Dhoni is one of the biggest names in Indian cricket who led India to two world cup titles — the 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the 2011 ODI World Cup at home. He has played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs and 98 T20 Internationals for India, smashing over 17,000 runs. He is also one of the best wicketkeepers in international cricket with more than 500 dismissals in the limited-overs format. He has more than 300 Test dismissals to his name.