Twitter speculates MS Dhoni's retirement as he collects the match ball from umpire

Something unusual happened at Headingley on Tuesday. After the game was lost, while walking back to the dressing room with Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni turned to the umpires and took the match ball from them to fuel his retirement speculations. He had collected a stump after playing out a draw in his last Test match. Twitterati was in shock after watching the scenes as they felt the heartbreaking news might be coming anytime soon.

Dhoni didn’t have a good series with the bat this time around. Though he played a couple of decent knocks of 37 and 42 runs, what hurt his fans was the way he played. He failed to rotate the strike most of the times especially against the spinners. Lord’s One-Day was more of an aberration for him as the crowd was miffed with him playing out the deliveries and not attacking the bowlers. They also booed him for his approach after which the Indian captain backed the veteran in the post-match presentation.

Should Dhoni retire now?

Also in the decider, MS Dhoni had a better outing compared to the previous one but got out during the phase when the team needed him the most. He couldn’t finish the innings with a bang and his diminishing abilities were highlighted again. But is it the right time for him to hang his boots? Many will argue on this fact but with the World Cup looming only after 11 months now, it will be tough for the new player to come and make a mark.

It would be better if Dhoni continues and maybe try to play more shots early in the innings and hope for the likes of Dinesh Karthik or Hardik Pandya to finish the matches. As of now though all are speculations and nothing has come from the man himself but the way he had retired from the Tests, the possibility of the same can’t be ruled out.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Sir m big fan of yours u inspire a lot of peoples so fight today don't take retirement @msdhoni, aap team me ho islie odi or t20 me excitement rhti h if u retire then many people leave to watch cricket matches I m very sad after reading the rumors about you 😦😦😦😐😐😕 #Dhoni

— MS Dhoni MS Dhoni #Dhoni (@iamDhoni7_fc) July 18, 2018

I presume (🤞) that MS Dhoni taking the ball is just as a memorabilia for the series (and run-out) as no one can predict things after 8-10 months. May be in the run up to #CWC19 he may feel confident to stay or otherwise too, we never know and no one, NO ONE can read his mind. pic.twitter.com/rfhMmAkqji

— Prabhu 🏏 ‏ (@Cricprabhu) July 18, 2018

Dhoni must retire and let Indian cricket team fall. Let the ungrateful Indian cricket fans realize why they don't deserve Dhoni.

— George AB Addict (@VijayIsMyLife) July 18, 2018

Why did MS Dhoni took the ball from umpire after last ball was bowled in the match at Leeds ?

Surely I don't want another 30 Dec, 2014 scene in limited over too.#Dhoni

— மனிஷ் குமார் (@ThisIs_Manish) July 18, 2018

https://t.co/urQTa9D7Gc

You can't do this…Smjhao unko Raina bhai …unke aisa krne se ..lakho logo ke muh se muskan chali jygi….He is our proud… aansuo ka shailab bahne lagegi… He can play easily play till 2023 WC. Muskarne ke wajah hai #mah humlogo ke liye

— Awdhesh Kumar Ravi (@awdhesh_ravi) July 18, 2018

end of #MSD #msdhoni ??? Dhoni seen taking match ball at the end of the match ? A wicket keeper taking back a match ball seems suspicious .if #dhoni retried ? #teamindia does't have any middle order batsmen ? #ENGvIND #ENGvsIND . Hope dhoni should continues till WC19 .

— kiran kumar (@shiningkiran) July 18, 2018

If a decision on MS Dhoni has to be taken it has to be right now because exactly an year to go for world cup and India's next ODI series is 3-4 months away I assume so if Dhoni is picked for that next series then he's playing the 2019 world cup irrespective of form.

— The Gamechanger (@tarun_0707) July 18, 2018

If its true, it will be blessing in disguise….. Really time has came for dhoni to hang boots… and just concentrate on how he can win IPL 2019 for chennai super Kings…
He is just not getting runs in international cricket off late…

— Saiprasad V Dalvi (@saiprasad_dalvi) July 18, 2018

@msdhoni I really don't know why you take this ball from the umpires; if you have retirement plan then pls drop that, without you winning the world cup is not possible; you are the best captain mahii bhai in the history of cricket; so pls don't make me cry again; pic.twitter.com/Yl6GSKQZBV

— Vignesh Krishnan (@Vignesh45573948) July 18, 2018

MS Dhoni has spent more time with tailenders in his career than family.#EngvInd

— Jaggas (@hamzasahiib) July 18, 2018

Ms please keep playing & played 2019 world cup @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/PgxP3Kj2ax

— Jayesh nikam (@Imjaynikam8) July 18, 2018

On a lighter note, MS Dhoni took the ball from the on-field umpire Michael Gough only to see why his aides couldn't inflict pain upon English batters. Having a ball, is not a bad omen at all. Remember, he is coming home. So, sit back & relax. Kohli won't let him retire. #ENGvsIND

— Tahir Ibn Manzoor (@TahirIbnManzoor) July 17, 2018

Re: Dhoni oddly taking the match ball and leading to speculations – The only 'official' response so far is "I didn't see that. I don't know"…from Shardul Thakur in the press conference!

— Prakash G (@PrakashG_CB) July 17, 2018

Plzz Don't do this again @msdhoni 💔😳 pic.twitter.com/T2nitmxOAc

— ADITYA (@Aditya__17) July 17, 2018

Might be last one day match in England for dhoni or last overall

— Hemu Aggarwal (@hemuaggfzr) July 18, 2018

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