Every big player has to hang up his shoes one day, same for MS Dhoni, says Sourav Ganguly

Given the high level of criticism raised against his performances at the World Cup, and the selection committee’s strong urge to offer ample time to younger options, it still remains to be seen whether Dhoni can make a return to the lineup anytime soon.

“Every big player has to hang up his shoes. That’s sport. Look at football, Maradona had to quit. There hasn’t been a bigger player than him. Tendulkar, Lara, Bradman.. everyone had to quit. This is the way the system has been and will be. So this scenario will come for MS as well,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by India Today.

The former skipper noted that players with the stature of Dhoni will always be expected to perform heroics without fail by the ardent Indian fan. And so, Ganguly hopes Dhoni will carefully evaluate his game before making a decision. 

“He is at that stage of his career where he has to evaluate where he stands. He has to decide if he can win matches for India. If he can continue to contribute like MS Dhoni, not someone else,” he said.

“Because with players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, until they play, there will be expectations that they will play like in this way and win matches in this fashion. I think Dhoni has to make this decision. Only a player knows how much fuel is left in the tank and how much of his match-winning ability is intact,” Ganguly continued.

Ganguly expects the Indian fans to get over the fact that Dhoni will not be playing cricket forever. 

“Indian cricket will have to get used to the fact that MS Dhoni won’t be playing forever and he won’t be around for too long. But I believe this decision has to be taken by Dhoni himself,” Ganguly added.