MSD will continue to play for India.
For the last couple of days, social media has been buzzing with the rumours of MS Dhoni retiting from international cricket. The rumour started when MS Dhoni asked for the match ball at the end of the lost third ODI against England. The clip went viral and many wondered whether MS Dhoni was taking the ball as a memento for his 'last match'.
However, Indian coach Ravi Shastri has now put cold water on all speculations. Speaking to a newspaper, Shastri dismissed all such rumours. He even gave a clarification of what MS Dhoni was doing with the ball at the end of the third ODI. Shastri said that, " MS is not going anywhere". According to him, MS Dhoni wanted to show the ball to bowling coach Bharat Arun to have a general idea of the nature of the wicket and the field.
The act was an unusual one for Dhoni, who is more known for collecting stumps after winning matches. The 30-second clip went viral on social media and accompanying it were questions on whether the two-time World Cup-winning skipper had dropped a hint at retirement.
In 321 ODIs, Dhoni has scored 10046 runs at an average of 51.25. He has 10 hundreds and 67 fifties to his name. Dhoni has 1487 runs in 93 T20 Internationals at an average of 37.17, including two fifties.Under Dhoni's captaincy, India won the ODI World Cup in 2011 after claiming the World Twenty20 title in 2007. Dhoni also led India to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 in England. He is only the second wicketkeeper-batsman to touch the 10000-run mark in ODI cricket
However, with any dip in form the critics wonder whether it is time for MS Dhoni to hang up his gloves. Dhoni didn't play upto expectation in the ODI series against England and that has renewed calls for India to try out new options. However, Virat Kohli has steadfastly defended the Indian legend and thrashed his critics. Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir have come out in the open to say Dhoni needs to do more to justify his place. But as Ravi Shastri has indicated, Dhoni isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
With PTI inputs
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