Former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar feels the time has come for MS Dhoni to retire from international cricket in his own terms without being pushed out.
Talking about Dhoni’s retirement plans, Gavaskar told India Today, “Nobody knows know what is in MSD’s mind. Only he can clarify what he thinks his future with Indian cricket is. But I think with him being 38 now, India should be looking ahead. Because by the time the next T20 World Cup comes around he will be 39 years old.”
Acknowledging the veteran stumper’s presence in the team, the 70-year-old Mumbaikar said, “His value to the side is always going to be fantastic. Not just the runs he will score or the stumpings he will effect. But his overall presence on the field will be calming for the captain because the captain gets the benefit of his views. So that is a huge plus. But I do believe the time has come.
“Everybody has a shelf life and I do believe with the greatest of respect to Dhoni and I am a fan as millions of others; I just believe he should be going without being pushed out. He should be going on his own terms.”
While selection committee chairman MSK Prasad had reiterated his stance on MS Dhoni’s international future, saying “the legendary player” knows when to call it quits, the India captain and the team management have backed the 38-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman.
Virat Kohli, while speaking to Star Sports ahead of the South Africa series, also said retirement decisions are purely personal while insisting Dhoni is still “very valuable” to Indian cricket.
