"Whenever he plays, he should play aggressively" - Mohammad Azharuddin's request to MS Dhoni

The story of Indian cricket’s fixation with their biggest heroes has a similar arc across persons. We are enthralled by their brilliance to the point where we idolize them as gods. Then, as they prove their humanity towards the tail end of their glorious careers, we turn their backs on them, just waiting to see them walk away. Once they do, we mourn the loss. It seems the story will be no different for Dhoni as well. 

However, being a former Indian skipper himself, Mohammad Azharuddin is positive that Dhoni still has it in him to produce good performances for the country. 

“My opinion is that if he is fit and playing well, he should play. Sometimes what happens is, interest is lost after playing so much cricket. If his interest is still 100 percent, I feel, he should play. But, I just want to request him. Whenever he plays, he should play aggressively. Sometimes, reflexes slow down after a certain age. But, with Dhoni, it does not appear that the reflexes are slow. If he plays his natural game more, I feel that will be good for India," Azharuddin told PTI.

While all the talks about Dhoni’s retirement has eaten up the air spaces throughout the country, Azharuddin prefers to take a step back and let the legendary player take the decision himself.

"A player wants to play, but selectors have to speak, how long he will play, how he will play, what will happen. I feel some decision will come. Otherwise, people will keep writing that (he) should retire, not retire. Because, no statement has come from Dhoni. He has taken rest for two months. May be, he will tell after that what he will do. I feel he will take the right decision whenever it is to be taken," he said.

Meanwhile, the cricketer-turned-politician had a few words of disagreement with the Indian selectors’ treatment of Ambati Rayudu. The chief selector, MSK Prasad, had clarified the board’s position saying that they obliged to the team management’s wishes to have a left-hander and a backup opener ahead of Rayudu. 

"When a person is standing by, I feel the standby person should be picked, if any replacement is needed. If you are a selector, you can overrule captain and coach. You can put your foot down and say, 'no, we will send this player'. When I was captain, I also wanted some players but the selectors said no. His (Prasad's) explanation, I don't agree with it," Azharuddin added.