MS Dhoni likely to retire after World Cup, according to reports

MS Dhoni has been at the receiving end of many criticism for the way he batted against England and calls for his retirement has been at an all-time high. It was only apparent that Dhoni was going to be a core member in the team for the World Cup, whether he would continue being a member of the side after that is open to debate. In the context of it, a BCCI official, although himself not so sure, revealed that Dhoni is likely to announce his retirement after the World Cup campaign.

"You never know with MS Dhoni. But it is unlikely that he will continue to play for India after this World Cup. But since his decisions to quit captaincy from the three formats have been taken so suddenly, it is very difficult to predict at the moment," a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Considering the World T20 is just a year away, this is going to be a challenge for the current selection committee, which is likely to stay till the October AGM, to groom Rishabh Pant and see the result for the time being. The changeover process is almost certain to start looking at the ICC World T20 in Australia next year. It is also a fact to be noted that, with India qualifying for the semi-finals at the World Cup, neither the team management nor the BCCI wants to talk about the issue.

In the World Cup so far, Dhoni has scored 223 runs in seven games with the strike rate a shade over 93 but his inability to rotate the strike and open his arms when the attack is needed has resulted in many pointing out his waning capabilities as a finisher.