4 reasons why MS Dhoni should retire from international cricket

(The opinions expressed in the article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent Sportskeeda's stand on the same.)

One of the pertinent questions asked to Sourav Ganguly after it was learnt that he was going to take over as new Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President was about the future of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ganguly stated that he would speak to both Dhoni and the selectors to figure out the way ahead.

Dhoni has not played a single international game since India's exit in the World Cup 2019 semifinals. He skipped the West Indies tour, home series against South Africa and, according to recent reports, he will remain unavailable for selection till November.

During his time away from the game, Dhoni, an honourary lieutenant colonel in the Army, spent two weeks serving the Indian Army. As the suspense over Dhoni’s future continues, here are four strong reasons why one feels the former captain should call it quits.

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#4 Dhoni’s well past his prime

Dhoni last featured for India against NZ during the 2019 World Cup

There are no doubts about the fact that Dhoni is well past his prime. This was clear even before the World Cup 2019. Considering his vast experience and maturity, Dhoni was always the right choice over Rishabh Pant in the World Cup. Although Dhoni did not set the tournament on fire with his pyrotechnics, he did play a defiant knock in the semifinals, until he was brilliantly run out.

However, it was in the World Cup itself that India’s worst nightmare came true as Dhoni failed to accelerate against England, and India ended up losing to the eventual champions from a reasonably good position. It was a situation that had been building up over the years.

While Dhoni’s overall strike rate in ODI cricket is 87.56, since January 2018, it has fallen to 78.54 owing to his inability to rotate the strike. And, even though he averages a healthy 41.66 during this period, it is significantly lower than his overall average of 50.57.

#3 India need to build for the future

Dhoni with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly

Even if he doesn’t retire, there is really not too much room to accommodate Dhoni in the current Indian set-up, with all due respect to his legendary achievements. Life has now come a full circle for Dhoni, and he is in the same position that two other former India captains, Ganguly and Rahul Dravid were when they were dropped from the CB ODI tri-series in Australia. Dhoni led India to victory over the Aussies, with a very young side who were high on adrenaline. Time has now come for Dhoni to take a leaf out of his own book, and clear the path for the future aspirants.

India’s next big assignment in international cricket is the World T20 to be played in Australia from October next year and, at 39, Dhoni is unlikely to be an automatic choice, even if he is available. Also, India must start preparing for the 2023 World Cup as well in right earnest, and begin grooming either Pant or Sanju Samson for the wicket-keeper batsman’s position.

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#2 Dhoni’s pick and choose policy

Javagal Srinath of India

As mentioned earlier, Dhoni has been unavailable for selection ever since India’s World Cup exit. He skipped the tour of West Indies, the home series against South Africa and, in all probability, won’t be part of the Bangladesh series.

The selectors haven’t hinted as yet as to whether they are looking beyond Dhoni or not. However, if they are okay with Dhoni’s pick and choose policy, it sets a very wrong precedent and a bad example, even if one considers his great service to the nation. If the former India captain does make a comeback, there could be a situation where a youngster may have to sit out despite performing well. Even if he is not, he may lose out on a few more chances to prove his case if the veteran wicket-keeper's availability is considered.

It is no secret that in the early to mid-90s, Javagal Srinath lost out on a couple of crucial years of his international career since Kapil Dev elongated his career to chase the world record for most Test wickets. And, while the genial former pace bowler has never said anything about it, there have been murmurs over the years that not everyone in the Indian camp was happy with the situation arising due to Dev playing on for personal gains.

A few critics and former players have stated that Dhoni must be allowed to decide how he wants to move ahead. Now, the former captain hasn't played for the few months and, in his absence, Pant has been trying to settle in. Even if the latter has not made an impact, it would still be better for India to move ahead instead of going back to Dhoni, which could affect the balance of the team, as they prepare for the World T20.

Even Dhoni is human, and it is not possible for him to get all his decisions right. The selectors must thus layout a clear cut policy and let the team and fans know whether Dhoni is in or out.

#1 Nothing left for Dhoni to achieve

India v Sri Lanka - 2011 ICC World Cup Final

The most significant reason why one feels Dhoni must hang up his boots from international cricket is because there is nothing really left for him to achieve at his level, and at this age. His situation is very unlike Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar, who delayed their retirement to claim individual glory. Dhoni has feats to his name no other leader in the world has managed -- winning all the three ICC trophies (World T20, World Cup and the Champions) to go with becoming the number one Test team. He did fail as a leader and batsman in Tests in Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand, but he was never cut out for the longer format of the sport.

Dhoni’s presence in the World Cup 2019 squad was warranted due to the fact that the team needed his vital experience in crunch situations. But, if he doesn't call it a day soon, and makes a comeback into the Indian team, he will be blocking the path of a next-gen cricketer. This goes against his own policy of blooding youngsters at the right time, and building a team the future, which he successfully implemented Down Under in 2008.

Dhoni quit Test cricket at the right time, and one only hopes that he makes the appropriate choice again, sparing the selectors the decision to take a harsh call on him.