MSD to retire quietly? Gavaskar says Dhoni will not make big announcement when it comes to his retirement Kohli’s record itself tells a lot, says Miandad
Mumbai, March 21: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels it would be very difficult for M.S. Dhoni to find a place in the India squad for the T20 World Cup slated to be played in October-November in Australia.
“I would definitely like to see Dhoni in India’s World Cup squad but it’s highly unlikely that it is going to happen,” Gavaskar told a leading Hindi daily.
“The team has moved on. Dhoni is not someone to make big announcements so I reckon he would silently retire from the game,” Gavaskar added.
Dhoni, 38, last played for India at the 2019 World Cup in England where the Men in Blue were knocked out in the semifinal.
Since then, he has been on a sabbatical and is due to appear on the cricket field in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.
India head coach Ravi Shastri has already stated that Dhoni’s selection depends on his performance in IPL.
The IPL 2020 edition, originally due to start on March 29, has been postponed till April 15 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Dhoni was training with the Chennai Super Kings squad but had to leave midway due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When two new members, including the chairman Sunil Joshi, assumed charge earlier this month, it was speculated that the national selection committee has not changed the panel’s stance on Dhoni, who will “have to perform” in the IPL to be considered for T20 World Cup selection.
Joshi’s predecessor M.S.K. Prasad had made it clear that the team has moved on from Dhoni and he has to first play to be considered for selection.
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who plays alongwith Dhoni in Chennai Super Kings, recently said he did not see the World Cup-winning captain returning to play international cricket.
“It is probably the end of the road for Dhoni. I heard the World Cup would be his last event for India — after that he won’t play for India again. He had made up his mind long back and that is why he has not made himself available,” Harbhajan added.
Harbhajan had said even if Dhoni had an excellent time in the IPL, he could decide not to play for India.
“If Dhoni has a good IPL and is sure he will because he works so hard... I have no doubt he will have a great IPL. As far as I know, he has made up his mind. If he has a good IPL, he will still make himself unavailable. I don't see him making a comeback. Knowing him, he has played his last game for India during the World Cup,” Harbhajan added.
Karachi, March 21: Pakistani cricket legend Javed Miandad is in awe of Virat Kohli's batting and has picked the India captain as his favourite batsman, saying his record “itself tells a lot”. The former Pakistan captain picked the current India skipper as his favourite due to his “classy” batting.
Speaking on his YouTube channel about the talent and depth present in the current Indian squad, Miandad especially praised Kohli for his enviable stats and the way he achieved them.
“I was asked who is the best in the Indian cricket team, so I choose Virat Kohli,” Miandad said.
“I don't have to say much, his performance itself tells a lot. People have to admit this as stats are visible.
“Virat performed really well in South Africa; even on an uneven wicket, he scored a hundred. You cannot say he is scared of fast-bowlers or he cannot play on bouncy pitches or he doesn't play spinners well.”
Miandad , stated that both Rohit Sharma and Kohli make batting look easy.
On Kohli, Miandad further added, “He is a clean hitter. Look at his shots, it feels so good to watch him bat. He has class.” —