MS Dhoni can play until the 2020 T20 World Cup, says childhood coach Keshav Banerjee

There has been a lot of speculations going around surrounding when the legendary MS Dhoni will say goodbye to international cricket. Though at the age of 38, Dhoni hasn’t yet run out of gas, he is a pale shadow of his glorious self. In the recently concluded World Cup, the veteran couldn’t turn over the strike properly and was criticised for not showing enough intent in the middle overs.

Even as he got backing from Indian skipper Virat Kohli and a few other cricketers, brickbats came hurling at him. In the meantime, amidst all the talks about Dhoni’s retirement, his childhood coach Keshav Banerjee has told that the wicketkeeper should play until the 2020 edition of the T20 World Cup. He believes that bearing in mind the rigours of ODI cricket, he should carry on playing only T20s.

Dhoni can take a call on future after the T20 World Cup

“I believe Mahi should carry on playing in T20 format. ODIs are quite demanding with 50 overs of wicket-keeping and then batting. That is very tough on the body. Then there is the added pressure of helping out bowlers and fielders, so he is always in the thick of the action.” Banerjee was quoted as saying in an interview with Indian Express.

“Whereas in T20 it’s shorter and more direct (slam-bang), Dhoni’s current fitness levels show that he is good enough to play in the shortest format of the game. I think he can play in the next T20 World Cup and then take a call on his future,” Banerjee added.

Recently, Banerjee also visited Dhoni’s residency to meet the cricketer’s parents, who believed Dhoni should bid adieu to Indian cricket. They reckoned the same for the reason that India can’t handle the ‘big property’ anymore. However, Banerjee asked them to hold their patience for an odd year or so.

It has also been learned that Dhoni won’t be travelling to the West Indies for the T20I and ODI series. The former Indian skipper will rather be a part of the transition process with Rishabh Pant being India’s first-choice wicket-keeper from now onwards.