Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was last seen playing for the Indian team in the ICC’s mega tournament where India faced an untimely exit in the Semi-Finals where they lost against New Zealand. After the teams return to India, MS Dhoni announced his break from cricket for a few months where he spent 2 weeks serving for the Indian Army in Kashmir.
Post World Cup, there had been speculation over his retirement from cricket. However, Chief Selector MSK Prasad played a vital role in clearing the air where he suggested that retirement is an individual’s decision and stated that Dhoni would know when he has to retire.
Dhoni’s decision to opt out of the West Indies tour that followed the World Cup was not taken well by former cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir suggested that player should not be picking and choosing series and Selectors should speak with him.
“I have always maintained this one thing. Retirement is an individual call, I think for me selectors should talk to him (MS Dhoni) and ask him about his future plan. Ultimately for me, playing for India, you should not be picking and choosing series,” Gambhir said.
After Dhoni’s decision to take sabbatical from cricket, 21-year-old Rishabh Pant was given an opportunity to groom and work towards becoming an ideal wicket-keeper who can replace Dhoni in the near future. However, Pant has been unsuccessful in showing his calibre as he has failed to generate big score in the recent series against South Africa.
Pant has constantly fallen prey to criticism due to his performance. Gambhir spoke in favour of giving Pant some time as he is a young player who has a long way to go.
“There is too much attention that is being given to a new player. He is just 21, he has played for last two and a half years. He has got two hundreds in Test cricket. We should not be comparing him with anyone, the team management should be backing him in the right way. He is still young and he has got a long future ahead,” Gambhir added.
Gambhir spoke on the similar lines of Yuvraj Singh who suggested that Pant requires team support and encouragement.