Former Indian cricketer turned politician, Gautam Gambhir, opined on the much-debated future of legendary Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, MS Dhoni.
The popular analyst reckoned that Dhoni’s return into Indian colours looks steep with the possible cancellation of IPL this year.
Many believed that a good 2020 IPL season for Dhoni meant him booking his tickets to Australia for the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled later in the year.
Gambhir reasoned by stating the fact that the talisman hasn’t featured in any competitive game since the semi-finals of 2019 ODI World Cup in England.
“If the IPL does not happen this year, then it will become very difficult for MS Dhoni to make a comeback. On what basis can he be selected since he’s not been playing for the last one or one and a half years,” Gambhir commented on Star Sports’ latest show.
Also, Gambhir was asked about the ‘apt’ replacement of the veteran Indian cricketer. To which, Gambhir tagged KL Rahul as the appropriate personnel to take over Dhoni’s role as a finisher as well as with the gloves.
“The apt replacement for Dhoni could be KL Rahul. Ever since he has donned the keeper’s gloves in white-ball cricket, I’ve seen his performance, both batting and keeping. Obviously, his keeping is not as good as Dhoni’s, but if you are looking at T20 cricket, Rahul’s a utility player, can keep and bat at No. 3 or 4,” continued Gambhir.
The status of IPL remains suspended presently with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in India. A new schedule has to be chalked, looking at the available window later in the year.
“If the IPL does not happen, then MS Dhoni‘s chances for a comeback look dim. Ultimately, you are representing India, so whoever dishes out the best performance and can win the match for India should play for the team. As far as his retirement plans go by, that’s his personal choice,” concluded Gambhir.
There have been question marks looming on the future of MSD since he took an indefinite sabbatical, starting July last year. Just when Dhoni was gearing up for the thirteenth edition of the IPL, the tournament was postponed.
