'As long as I am beating the fastest sprinter in the team, I consider myself fit for higher level cricket' - MS Dhoni to Sanjay Manjrekar

There have been a lot of speculations over MS Dhoni’s return to international cricket. He hasn’t played for more than a year at the highest level. For now, he is making a comeback to play in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be played from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many cricket experts believe Dhoni has played his last game for India.

But if Sanjay Manjrekar’s conversation with the veteran during Virat Kohli‘s wedding is taken into account, MS Dhoni might still have it in him to contribute for India. Manjrekar has revealed that the wicketkeeper-batsman told him that he will consider himself fit to play top-level cricket as long as he is fit. There is no question about the 39-year-old’s fitness, and a lot will depend on how he plays in the IPL.

“During Virat Kohli’s wedding, I had a little corner time with him and he said that as long as I am beating the fastest sprinter in the team, I am going to consider myself fit enough to be playing international cricket or playing high-level cricket,” Manjrekar said while speaking at the Star Sports Cricket Connected.

MS Dhoni will have a very good IPL, reckons Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar, who is waiting for BCCI‘s response to his request to include him in the commentary panel for the IPL, also feels that MS Dhoni will have a very good outing in the cash-rich league this year. He pointed out that the conditions are just perfect for the former India skipper to unleash himself and the batsman in him will take over this season.

“I think he is going to be very good and one of the reasons that he is so successful and so consistent in the IPL as a batsman as opposed to international is that he knows that there are about four to five bowlers to handle. And there are some good ones, and there are some not so good ones in the IPL.

“In international, you have got five quality bowlers, so he’s so good at picking out those guys and going after them. And people with Tendulkar, Dhoni, these are champion cricketers. Once they are on the public stage, you will never see Dhoni ever on a public stage, like a cricket field, looking slightly unfit or unable to sprint or run,” he further added.

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"The conditions (in UAE) are going to be perfect for MS Dhoni" – @sanjaymanjrekar

What's your opinion? Join the former #TeamIndia batsman in conversation with @jatinsapru & @BrettLee_58, tonight on #CricketConnected!#IPL2020 #IPL pic.twitter.com/SVUSkdpdrk

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 8, 2020