MS Dhoni is not retiring any time soon, asserts Sandeep Patil
Sandeep Patil has reassured Indian fans that despite a slight drop in his performance batting down the order, MS Dhoni is nowhere close to calling it quits on his international career. He also called for some patience from Indian supporters as he asked them to let Ravi Shastri & Co. do their jobs.
One of the most successful captains in modern day cricket, MS Dhoni, has won everything that the sport of cricket has on offer. From the ICC T20 World Cup to the ODI World Cup in 2011, the IPL, the ICC Champions Trophy, the former Indian skipper has won it all in what has been one hell of a cricketing career. But the explosive tail-ender came under severe criticism after his less than impressive performances in the recent ODI series loss to England. Rumors of Dhoni’s retirement started floating around after the Indian wicket-keeper asked the umpires for the match ball after the third and final ODI.
But former Indian batsman and medium-pacer, Sandeep Patil has calmed the fears of Indian fans as he revealed that Dhoni was nowhere close to retiring from the limited-overs format anytime soon. Dhoni was severely criticised after he scored just 92 runs off 142 deliveries across the three ODI matches.
"I have known him very closely for the last 14 years and I am privileged to have seen him when he was just starting his career. I have worked with him as an India A coach and as a chief selector, and he happens to be a very dear friend of mine now. I can assure all his fans that he is not retiring as of now.
"Most of the people know Dhoni as either Captain Cool or as a top finisher. However, experts and selectors who have played this game will also give importance to the contributions made by Dhoni as a wicketkeeper. I have made it clear earlier and am making it clear once again that selectors have the right to select or drop a player on his performance and fitness," Patil wrote in his column for The Quint.
The 61-year old also pleaded to Indian supporters around the globe to stay calm and let Ravi Shastri & Co. do their respective duties as part of the national setup. He urged supporters to back a young Indian squad to do well on their foreign tour.
"I used to find it quite ironic that before every selection meeting, media and other cricket pundits would make suggestions on which player should be picked and which should be left out. However, after the team was announced, the same set of people would criticise selectors for selecting or dropping the same player they had mentioned!
"I request all cricket lovers to let Dhoni be and do his job. Let the captain and the coach do their jobs and let the selectors do theirs. Let’s chill out and enjoy this great young Indian team trying their best to win every match and beat every team," Patil added.
