Retirement is Dhoni’s personal call, but selectors should communicate plan clearly, says Virender Sehwag
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Former India batsman Virender Sehwag has said that although the decision on when to retire is Dhoni’s personal decision, the selectors should communicate with MS Dhoni about his future in the team. Dhoni had opted out of India's ongoing tour of the West Indies, to serve in the Indian Army.
When chief selector MSK Prasad announced India’s squads for the Caribbean tour, he had said that Rishabh Pant – who was named in the squad for all three formats – was being groomed to take up the wicketkeeping role in the future. When asked if he would have picked Dhoni had he been available, Prasad deflected the question by citing Dhoni not being fit to be considered.
"That is Dhoni's personal call. If he thinks he is fit and can contribute like he used to, then why not continue. But if the selectors think that MSD can't contribute, then they should tell him that we are giving you this last series. That should be communicated," Sehwag told Hindustan Times.
Going forward, it is clear that the Men in Blue will pick Pant as their No.1 wicketkeeper. This leaves Dhoni in a sticky spot, according to Sehwag.
"That communication should always be there between the selectors and the player. Don't know whether the selectors have [that communication] or not. We have only read MSK giving a statement about selectors conveying to MSD that he is not their first choice. So, that means they'll pick Pant first and then if they have to pick a second keeper, they'll pick Dhoni. That is not possible. After a time, Dhoni should decide and speak to selectors and ask for a retirement game. That is when he feels it is the right time to quit," Sehwag said.
Communication problems between the team management and players at the dusk of their careers have always been a problem – Sehwag himself an example in this regard.
"Not the board, but the selectors. I think the selectors should speak to players. Communication has been a problem. Nobody communicated with me. I feel there were others too like me," Sehwag added.
