After India lost the semi’s in the 2019 World Cup, MS Dhoni’s ouster from the game has been making headlines despite the fact that much of it was self-imposed. His possible retirement was highly debated, but his die-hard fans wouldn’t hear of it. That is why even the music maestro Lata Mangeshkar took to Twitter to ask Dhoni not to ‘even think of his retirement.’ And amidst all the speculations, a statement by a senior BCCI official that Dhoni wasn’t retiring from cricket ‘right now’ let us heave a sigh of relief.
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However, Dhoni did took an indefinite sabbatical from cricket after the World Cup semi-final exit to serve with the paramilitary regiment. While he initially requested for a two-month leave, he reportedly extended it further by making himself unavailable for selection.
But, a report by Times Now suggests that Dhoni might play the next year’s ICC World Twenty20. “He (MS Dhoni) might start playing competitive cricket from January which means he will not be a part of the Jharkhand team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.”
“He is preparing himself for the World T20 scheduled in Australia from October 18 to November 15.”
The source further added that he will also participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
The fact that the former skipper has started training at the gym and is likely to train with the Jharkhand U-23 team also hints at his comeback in January 2020. “He spoke to a support staff of the senior Jharkhand team but as they would be leaving for Surat to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20s starting on November 8, he is likely to practise with under-23 boys at the stadium,” said a source to The New Indian Express.
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“He has started working on his fitness by training at the gym. He also plays badminton, tennis and billiards at the venue. They all are part of his preparations. He might start playing competitive cricket from January which means he will not be a part of the Jharkhand team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy,” added the source.
If sources are to be believed, we may soon see Dhoni acing his wicket-keeping and recreating his helicopter shots in the matches to come. We just can’t contain the excitement!