Does Mahendra Singh Dhoni have a future in Twenty20 is the latest debate to hit the cricket circles.
Last week, Dhoni was here to launch his cricket academy and he looked absolutely fit.
His average in Twenty20 Internationals is 35.58. Even Chris Gayle, the world’s finest Twenty20 batsmen, who bats up the order, averages only 35.04.
Dhoni is now 36 and it is a common trend to evoke a discussion on the durability of any player after the age of 35.
This debate is more common in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. especially when there is a dip in form of an experienced player.
In Australia too the debate on a players’ worthiness does happen, but more after selectors have dropped a player.
In India, whenever the durability of a player is questioned, even if it is by experienced former cricketers, it creates a storm. As a cricket fan, it is important that one learns to accept different opinions. Instead, the first reaction is to belittle the person who expressed the opinion stating that these are cricketers who also struggled to retire.
When it comes to cricket, everyone is an expert; and that is the beauty of this sport. The more the experts, the better it is for the popularity of the game. Many had debated on Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, and so was the case with Pakistan’s Misbah Ul Haq and Younis Khan hanging up their boots.
One of the reasons cited in support of Dhoni’s retirement from T20 is that there are many young wicketkeepers waiting in the wings and that they should be given a chance. But people forget that Dhoni did not make a mark from the T20 format; instead he came up through the other forms of the game. Dhoni has already retired from Test cricket, and the next wicketkeeper can show his calibre through the Test matches. ?It’s a shame that selectors in the subcontinent are never considered good enough to spot a replacement for an established cricketer. While in Dubai, Dhoni stated that playing for the country is his greatest motivation; but whether his motivation is good enough for the team is for the selectors to decide. It is their job to determine whether there is a dip in Dhoni’s form or agility and to make the decision.
Dhoni retired from Test cricket and also gave up captaincy when he knew it was time. Such a cricketer needs no suggestions from former players or a public debate on when to retire from a format. As an Indian cricketer he has done much more than others, and hence one must have faith that he wouldn’t do something a cricketer should not do and pull India down.
Last week, Dhoni was here to launch his cricket academy and he looked absolutely fit.
His average in Twenty20 Internationals is 35.58. Even Chris Gayle, the world’s finest Twenty20 batsmen, who bats up the order, averages only 35.04.
Dhoni is now 36 and it is a common trend to evoke a discussion on the durability of any player after the age of 35.
This debate is more common in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. especially when there is a dip in form of an experienced player.
In Australia too the debate on a players’ worthiness does happen, but more after selectors have dropped a player.
In India, whenever the durability of a player is questioned, even if it is by experienced former cricketers, it creates a storm. As a cricket fan, it is important that one learns to accept different opinions. Instead, the first reaction is to belittle the person who expressed the opinion stating that these are cricketers who also struggled to retire.
When it comes to cricket, everyone is an expert; and that is the beauty of this sport. The more the experts, the better it is for the popularity of the game. Many had debated on Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, and so was the case with Pakistan’s Misbah Ul Haq and Younis Khan hanging up their boots.
One of the reasons cited in support of Dhoni’s retirement from T20 is that there are many young wicketkeepers waiting in the wings and that they should be given a chance. But people forget that Dhoni did not make a mark from the T20 format; instead he came up through the other forms of the game. Dhoni has already retired from Test cricket, and the next wicketkeeper can show his calibre through the Test matches. ?It’s a shame that selectors in the subcontinent are never considered good enough to spot a replacement for an established cricketer. While in Dubai, Dhoni stated that playing for the country is his greatest motivation; but whether his motivation is good enough for the team is for the selectors to decide. It is their job to determine whether there is a dip in Dhoni’s form or agility and to make the decision.
Dhoni retired from Test cricket and also gave up captaincy when he knew it was time. Such a cricketer needs no suggestions from former players or a public debate on when to retire from a format. As an Indian cricketer he has done much more than others, and hence one must have faith that he wouldn’t do something a cricketer should not do and pull India down.
Reporting by K.R. Nayar
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