'Can't comeback if you have not played for so long'

Calm attitude helped Dhoni become India's best captain: Rohit

NEW DELHI: Legendary allrounder Kapil Dev on Monday raised fresh doubts over Mahendra Singh Dhoni's future in international cricket, saying "I don't think you can come back from anywhere" after not playing for so long.

The two-time World Cup winning captain, who has not played since India's semifinal loss in the World Cup in the United Kingdom, was last month dropped from the BCCI'S list of centrally contracted players.

"If you haven't played cricket for so long then I don't think you can come back from anywhere," Kapil, India's first World Cup winning captain, told ABP News.

Kapil also felt Dhoni's form in the IPL could be crucial.

"... But he still has IPL, his form there will be important and selectors should see what is best for the country," he said.

The 38-year-old's omission from the contract list was not unexpected considering that he has not played any international cricket for months.

Since the World Cup, Dhoni has missed the tour of the West Indies and the home series against South Africa, Bangladesh, the West Indies, Australia and the limited overs assignments against New Zealand.

One of the biggest names in Indian cricket, Dhoni led India to two world titles the 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the 2011 ODI World Cup at home.

The veteran has played 90 Tests, 350 ODIS and 98 T20 Internationals for India, accumulating over 17,000 runs and effecting a staggering 829 dismissals behind the stumps.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's calm demeanour under pressure has helped him emerge as India's most successful captain and a role model for youngsters, feels swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma.dhoni had led India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and then notched up a title triumph at the 2011 World Cup, beating Sri Lanka in the final at Mumbai. He also led the Chennai Super Kings to victory three times in the Indian Premier League.

Rohit, who made his debut under Dhoni during the T20 World Cup in South Africa, was effusive in his praise for his former captain.

'But he still has IPL, his form there will be important ,' Kapil said