MS Dhoni has proven multiple times that age is just a number, claims Virat Kohli
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Virat Kohli has stated that people have no right to tell MS Dhoni when to retire and neither doubt his capabilities, for his experience is invaluable and such decisions are completely personal choices. He went on to discuss the stand named after him and the upcoming series against the Proteas.
The speculation about Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s retirement seem to be never ending, as is usually the case when a long time servant of the national team reaches the twilight of his career. Despite being 38 years old, the veteran has time and again proved his worth with the bat and with his leadership skills on display on the field. Skipper Virat Kohli has also given his take on the prevailing issue.
“Experience is always going to matter whether you like it or not. Many players have proven in the post that age is just a number and even Dhoni has done that a lot in his career. One thing great about him is that he thinks for Indian cricket. When to stop playing cricket, is completely an individual decision. No one should give opinions regarding the matter,” he was quoted saying by TOI.
He had recently uploaded a picture with the World Cup-winning captain on his social media, reminiscing a 2016 T20 World Cup match where the two had shared a crucial partnership to guide India to victory in a must-win game. However, it soon fueled rumours of Dhoni having decided to hang up his boots until they were quashed by his wife Sakshi.
"I did not have anything on my mind, I was just sitting at my home and just uploaded the picture. It became news, it is a lesson for me about what I think about myself, the world does not necessarily see it that way. That game is very special, I have not openly talked about it so that is why I uploaded the picture but people took it otherwise,” Kohli explained.
The 30-year-old recently had a stand named after him at his home city Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, in a ceremony which officially saw the name of the stadium being changed from the erstwhile Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
"Initially it was hard to believe. It is a very gracious gesture. You do not think about that as a cricketer, but for someone to give you that honour, it feels special,” Kohli revealed.
India’s next assignment is a three-match T20 series against a visiting Proteas squad. The Men in Blue have a relatively young squad, with senior players like Bumrah handed a rest.
“We wanted to give opportunities to players who have done well for the past two years in the domestic circuit and T20 cricket in the IPL. It is about finding the best possible balance we can for the side and not necessarily stick to one particular type of balance. If other teams can bat till number nine, so why can't we? Whatever decisions are made, they are made looking at the future,” claimed Kohli.
The team will be looking forward to get its combinations right with next year’s World T20 fast approaching.
“The first two to three T20I series will help us assess every situation. Definitely the roadmap for T20 World Cup in 2020 is on our mind. It is an exciting prospect looking at the new bunch of guys in your lineup,” he signed off.
