3 challenges MS Dhoni faces on the road to World Cup 2019

MS Dhoni is the first captain to win the ICC World T20. He achieved yet another outstanding feat by hitting the winning runs in the 2011 World Cup finals. He made the World Cup dream of Sachin and countless Indians come true, and paid a splendid tribute to the Master Blaster.

All these reasons made the former captain a hero in India. The 37-year-old is still more famous than most of the young players. People want to see him keep playing; it would be a heartbreaking moment when he bids adieu to his international career and his IPL team Chennai Super Kings.

Many expect the ICC World Cup 2019 to be Dhoni's last tournament. If that is indeed the case, the 2011 World Cup-winning captain would be hoping to end his illustrious career on a high.

Dhoni might be looking to repeat the heroics of 2011, but he has quite a few challenges along the way. Here is a look at three of them.

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#3 The challenge of preserving his timing and reflexes

Australia v India - ODI: Game 2

Age is just a number when it comes to legendary performers. Even at 37, MSD is still faster than any other batsman at the crease. He is a great wicketkeeper behind the stumps. His experience would prove to be crucial for Team India.

Nevertheless, he should be reminding himself that he needs to be at the top of his game at all times. His IPL 12 performance would be closely monitored along with the remaining international performances before the World Cup.

Dhoni was good during the recently concluded Australian tour and New Zealand tour, but he has not silenced his critics for good. This is what Sanjay Majrekar had to say about Dhoni after the 3rd ODI match against Australia:

"[Dhoni is] clearly not at his prime... The software - his intention, his mind is still at its prime. He knows exactly what is needed. The hardware is not quite keeping in touch with the software. The hardware was a lot better 5-10 years back. He would hit sixes at will... he doesn't have that ability or the confidence now but he finds ways to stay there till the end."

Critics and experts see a need for MSD to turn the clock back in time. By no means is his spot in the World Cup playing XI in doubt at the moment, but that should not make him complacent.

#2 The challenge of staying injury-free

India ODI Series Training Session

Dhoni is not an injury prone cricketer, but he is not injury-free either. After all, he is a human being.

He missed the third ODI against New Zealand due to an injury. He is doing some extremely hard work behind the stumps and with his batting, and that is bound to result in problems sooner or later. Cricket is an extreme sport, and giving one's everything might cause injuries.

It is yet to be known if MSD will be getting a break during Australia's tour of India. The selectors would want to safeguard him from any injuries, but his recent form against the Aussies might tempt them to play him throughout.

They tried resting him for the fourth ODI against New Zealand to avoid further complications, and India lost the match by a huge margin. They got just 92, their seventh-lowest total ever in ODIs. This tempted them to bring Dhoni back to the playing XI even though he may not have got enough rest.

The Indian Premier League is known for its toughness and rigidity. Dhoni's presence throughout the event is vital for Chennai Super Kings. But as he contributes to all the teams he is a part of, he needs to see to it that he avoid possible injuries.

#1 The challenge of notching up another successful IPL season

MS Dhoni representing Chennai Super Kings against Yorkshire Carnegie

MS Dhoni continues to be one of the best captains in the Indian Premier League. He has taken the Chennai Super Kings to the playoffs in every season, and has won three IPL trophies for the side.

As one of the most successful captains, expectations from the management and the fans would always be high. The team almost always remains unchanged, and is filled with veterans past their prime. MSD would undoubtedly have to continue carrying the heavy loads.

With age not on his side, Dhoni needs to give his all and win the trophy again this season if he wishes to retain the trust of the management. He has proved a lot over the years, but he is not getting any younger; sooner or later the management would think of a new captain.

All that MSD can do at this point is to slow down that process. He has to demonstrate that he still can break his own captaincy records. He is more than capable of doing that, but the road will not be easy.

Dhoni has to do what he did last year, all over again. But this time he has to exercise more caution so as to not get injured or lose his touch ahead of the World Cup.

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Are there any other challenges that MSD faces before the World Cup? Give your opinion in the comments section below.