Former Indian selector feels that MS Dhoni would have definitely played the T20 World Cup if not for COVID-19

Even the most skilled astrologer in the world would find it very difficult to predict Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s next move. The former Indian skipper is a man who does not reveal much to the world, but when he makes his move, it has a lasting impact. In an announcement that stunned the cricketing world and his millions of fans as well, Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on 15th August 2020, sending shockwaves in the cricketing fraternity.

Now, Sarandeep Singh, the former Indian selector has revealed that Dhoni would have surely played the T20 World Cup as well, if not for the Covid-19 pandemic. Singh also added that Dhoni was still fit, and there was no reason for him not to play.

Sarandeep also said that the fitness of players determines how long they can last, and emphatically stated that Dhoni was the fittest cricketer. The former selector also added that Dhoni never took a break from practice and he never missed a match due to injury as well. He further opined that his fitness was one of the reasons why Dhoni garnered so much respect.

“Definitely, he would have played (had COVID-19 not interrupted). We were also thinking that he should have definitely played the World T20. He was fit. There was no reason for him to not play. We always see the fitness of the players first to see how long they can play. And Mahi was the fittest. He never took a break from practice. Even in optional practice, Mahi was there. And you see it never happened that he missed a game because of injury. That’s why he got so much respect from everyone,” said Sarandeep in a candid chat with Sportskeeda.

There is not a single trophy MS Dhoni hasn’t won: Sarandeep Singh

Sarandeep also threw light on Dhoni’s success as a leader. He said that Dhoni won literally every trophy that is to be won in the sport, and he deserved the chance to play the T20 World Cup. He also stated that this was the opinion of everybody in the selection committee as well.

“We always felt that a player who played so much for India and won so many trophies – there’s not a single trophy he hasn’t won – deserved that chance. It was my personal opinion and opinion of everyone in the selection committee that MS Dhoni should have played the World T20,” said Sarandeep.

Sarandeep revealed that Dhoni was a team man who always thought ahead of himself and also said that the only advice that Dhoni always gave the youngsters was not to ‘think too much’. He concluded by stating that Dhoni’s decision-making process helped everybody on the side.

“So many times we asked MS Dhoni about what special advice he gives to the youngsters. He always said that ‘I only ask them to not think too much, just read the situation. Because if you do that then decision-making becomes very easy.’ …Hardik, Bumrah, he helped everyone. He was always a team man who thought for the team ahead of himself,” concluded Sarandeep.

MS Dhoni will next be seen in action in the 2021 edition of the IPL.