Gautam Gambhir liked seeing KL Rahul as wicketkeeper-batsman in white-ball cricket. Former Indian opener Rahul considers low formats, especially in T20 cricket, to be an “ideal alternative” to the MS Dhoni going forward.
The 38-year-old Dhoni has not played any serious cricket since India’s semi-final exit from the ODI World Cup in July 2019. After that Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have taken the duties of MS Dhoni in white-ball cricket. The IPL 2020 was widely viewed as an opportunity for Dhoni to bid for an international comeback before the T20 World Cup in Australia scheduled from October-November 2020 – says Indian coach Ravi Shastri.
With the COVID-19 pandemic defying any IPL auction this year, the door may close on Dhoni. Gambhir certainly thinks so.
“If the IPL doesn’t happen this year, the return of MS Dhoni will be challenging,” said Gambhir on Star Sports Cricket Connected. “He hasn’t been playing for the last one-and-a-half years so he can’t be picked on any basis.
Since he wore Keeper Gloves in white-ball cricket, I have seen both his batting and his batting and keeping. He can bat in position.
“If the IPL doesn’t happen, the chances of MS Dhoni coming back is unclear. In the end, you represent India, so who’s playing the best game and who can win the match for India, they have to play for the team.
Since taking over as India’s white-ball keeper – temporarily at first, filling in for a concussed Pant, and then regularly – Rahul’s return has been phenomenal. In ODIs, he scored 303 runs with an average of 75.75 in five innings and strike rate of 114.77, when batting on the 5th position. When he started batting in T20, he had hit 224 with an average of 56.00 and a strike rate of 144.51.
Meanwhile, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has suggested that Dhoni may have been unofficially retired from international cricket. Chopra believes that Dhoni has not made himself available for selection, instead of going after the 50-over World Cup.
“MS Dhoni has never said anything to anyone,” Chopra said on his YouTube show Cricket Akash. “He has a different story. Almost everyone thinks he can return to the Indian side if he performs well in the IPL.
“Since then, he has not made himself available to the team. He has not fallen. I think he has in mind that he will not play for India anymore.”
Chopra believes that instead of going out with an official statement or a farewell game, Dhoni has decided to walk away without a rash, and only play for India again if the team management or BCCI president Sourav Ganguly persuaded him to play for team India.
“Only if, Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli or Ravi Shastri pick up the phone and tell Dhoni to help the team in the T20 World Cup.” Otherwise, in my opinion, Dhoni made up his mind, ‘I’m not going to play. I don’t want to say goodbye. If the cup pushes, I don’t think you’ll see Dhoni in an Indian blue jersey. “
Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman believes Dhoni will be playing for Chennai Super Kings again in the “next two years.”
“I hope, he will be playing for CSK because he is very fit and age is just a number, and most importantly, a man like MS Dhoni is not only physically healthy, but also he is very mentally skilled as captain.” He was very successful, when it comes to cricket, I’m sure he’s looking forward to playing in the IPL. Not only is this IPL, but he can also play in the next couple of IPLs and later his future as a cricketer. “
“However, I think MS Dhoni will be clear. As far as his plans are concerned, I am sure he should have communicated with [India captain] Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri immediately after the 2019 World Cup in England. The new selection committee will be sitting with MS Dhoni on Indian cricket.” The future must be understood. MS Dhoni will continue to play for Chennai Super Kings. “
