‘Vintage car’ Dhoni sets eyes beyond 2019
The former India captain is aiming to play for a lengthy span, subject to fitness, and stays confident
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said his international cricket career may see him play the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 in England.
Few months shy of his 36th birthday, Dhoni’s first coach Keshav Banerjee had said his superstar ward will review his future after the ICC Champions Trophy in UK in June this year. But speaking at an event in Delhi on Thursday, Mahendra Singh Dhoni made it clear that he was not stopping soon, subject to his fitness.
FEELING FIT
Dhoni, who stepped down from India’s limited overs captaincy in January this year, believes with his current fitness level, he can go beyond the 2019 World Cup. Dhoni remains in Grade 1 of BCCI’S central contracts that were announced on Wednesday. When asked whether he is 100 percent likely to play in the 2019 World Cup, Dhoni replied: “There’s is nothing called 100 per cent.
“The reason being, we are in 2017, 2019 is two years (from now). A lot can change in two years, especially when you have played cricket for over 10 years and seeing India cricket team’s schedule, it is a very tough schedule.
CARE NEEDED
“Uske baad aap thode vintage car ban jate hai (After that you become a vintage car). A lot of caring is needed. Sitting how I am today, yes, the way I am today, I can easily go beyond that (2019 World Cup in England).”
Dhoni led Jharkhand to the semifinal of the Vijay Hazare Trophy where his towering sixes were not enough to help his team beat Bengal, the eventual winners of the tournament.
Dhoni had scored a 70 versus Bengal. In an earlier group match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Dhoni smashed a 107-ball 129 against Chhattisgarh, reminding selectors his ability to score quick runs at the No. 6 position.
Dhoni was recently replaced by Steven Smith as captain of the IPL team Rising Pune Supergiant. But the big-hitting superstar will remain a key man in the Pune squad.
His biggest immediate test in international cricket however will be the Champions Trophy in June.