India is known as the hub of cricket. Even though it has originated in England, it is played more in India. A cricket match is like a festival in India. Thousands of people gather in the stadium to cheer for the team. Apart from stadiums, the sport enjoys viewership of millions through digital platforms.
Dhoni, after recent India vs England ODI, asked for the ball from umpires Bruce Oxenford (Australia) and Michael Gough (England) as the teams walked back towards the pavilion. Due to this the news of MS Dhoni retiring started spreading on social media.
Video grab of Dhoni taking the ball from the umpire led many to believe that the veteran is going to retire – much like how he took the stumps following India and Australia’s Test draw in 2014.
Shastri dismissed all speculation on Dhoni’s retirement on Wednesday. “MS wanted to show the ball to Bharat Arun. He wanted to show him the wear and tear the ball had endured, to get a general idea of what the conditions were like,” Shastri clarified to Times of India.
Even with social media rife with speculation that former India captain will soon bid a final goodbye to all formats, Shastri ended that with one line. “That’s rubbish. MS is not going anywhere,” Shastri confirmed.
Dhoni had come under fire during the England ODI series for the slow scoring rate.
Shastri clarified that if criticism has to come Dhoni’s way, he might as well endure it. But it wouldn’t make him any less important, given what he brings to the squad. “But right now, all this clamour is nonsense. He just wanted to show the ball to Arun to just have a look at it after close to 45 overs had been bowled,” he said.
“The idea was to take the innings deep. He has the experience but sometimes it doesn’t come off. We totally believe in him and the ability of all the players,” the skipper said in defence of MS Dhoni.
It is surely a great relief to know that MS Dhoni is not retiring.
