Fans question Dhoni’s future

New Delhi – Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s illustrious career is nearing its end, but his cryptic comments and long absences from the pitch have kept fans guessing how he plans to walk away.

The warhorse, 38, serves as an honorary lieutenant colonel in his army reserve regiment and spent part of last year in strifetorn Kashmir, missing the oneday international tour of the West Indies.

Dhoni, above, has not appeared for club nor country in more than six months, since New Zealand beat the Indians in the World Cup semifinal, and he was left out of the three-match ODI series against Australia, which began on Tuesday.

Dhoni hinted he would not reveal his plans until this month, but that hasn’t stopped constant questions about his sabbatical at team press conferences.

With India’s demanding fanbase setting their sights on a Twenty20 World Cup win in Australia this year, speculation over Dhoni’s participation has whipped up feverish discussion.

“The question that needs to be asked is of MSD [Dhoni] himself,” said batting great Sunil Gavaskar last weekend, suggesting the wicketkeeper-batsman’s long absence had already settled the matter.

“Does anybody keep himself away from playing for India for that long? That is the question and therein lies the answer.”

Dhoni’s imminent return to the Indian Premier League with the Chennai Super Kings could mean his international swansong is yet to come.

“I have had a conversation with MS and ... in all probability, he will finish one-day cricket,” Shastri told Indian television.

“At his age, probably the only format he’ll want to play is T20 cricket, which means he’ll have to start playing again, get back into the groove because he’s going to play in the IPL and see how his body reacts.”

For cricket-obsessed India, Dhoni’s international retirement will be a moment to rival the departure of batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, who was similarly coy about his plans in the lead-up to his farewell Test in 2013. – AFP