Reports: MS Dhoni not retiring now but told he’s no longer in scheme of things

Ace India wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni might have kept the cricketing fraternity on toes about his probable retirement but it was reported that the selectors have decided to move on even if the former hasn’t decided to call it a day. According to reports, the 38-year-old cricketer has ruled out retirement for now but he has also been told that he is no more in the scheme of things. The plan now is to groom youngsters for the long term.

Dhoni played his latest game against New Zealand which was the semi-final of the 2019 cricket World Cup. Dhoni scored 50 off 72 balls and took his team close to a victory but failed eventually. Speculation was rife that Dhoni would call it quits after the loss that dashed India’s World Cup chances.

But he hasn’t and rather has announced his unavailability in cricket for two months as he will be joining an army training. The Indian selectors on Sunday picked three Indian squads for the upcoming tour of the West Indies starting next month and Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha (only Tests) were the glovemen.

Dhoni has his own plans, selectors have their own

According to a report in Times of India, chief selector MSK Prasad had a talk with Dhoni where both sides let known their respective thoughts. While Dhoni ruled out retirement as of now, he was also told in return that he wasn’t in the scheme of things any more, and the selectors now planned to go ahead with youngsters.

It was also reported that Dhoni told the selectors to go ahead with their plans. On Sunday, as Prasad met the press to announce the Indian squads, he said it was up to Dhoni to decide his date of retirement. The settlement was clear from such words although Prasad, also a former India keeper, did not reveal whether he had a word with Dhoni over his retirement.

“Retirement is purely an individual (decision). A legendary cricketer like Dhoni knows when to retire. The future course of action is in the hands of the selection committee. I don’t think we need to discuss anything more on it. First of all, he is not available. Second, we have already started grooming youngsters,” Prasad was quoted as saying at the press conference.