In the press conference in Ranchi after India’s 69-run win over Sri Lanka in the 2nd T20I, India captain MS Dhoni was faced with some uncomfortable questions, which he deflected with his usual charming humour.
Among serious replies about Yuvraj Singh’s position in the batting order and Jasprit Bumrah’s death over bowling, Dhoni also included a few replies about larger philosophical truths, with tongue in cheek.
When asked if he was playing his last match in his hometown, Ranchi, Dhoni said, “Why? Do I look unfit to you? I still run fast, I do everything as fast as I did. But there’s a different retirement criterion for me. You say, ‘This guy’s not hitting sixes, let’s retire him’. Maybe if I hit sixes in the next match, then you’ll say, ‘Let’s still retire him and finish him off’.”
Another question he faced was why he did not play his famous helicopter shot as frequently as he used to.
To that, he replied, “See, a helicopter needs a particular place to fly. If you go underwater into a submarine and ask why there are no helicopters there, then that will be a problem. The helicopter shot is meant for a particular delivery. I cannot play it to a bouncer unless I get a stool with me. As of now, the strategy that bowlers follow does not allow me to play it.”
India and Sri Lanka meet at Vishakhapatnam on Sunday for the series decider. The visitors, led by Dinesh Chandimal, stand a chance of their first bilateral series win on Indian soil. Dhoni will be looking to continue his experiments with the team ahead of the World T20, but as he said in the press conference, also looking to win.
The uncomfortable questions seem to be thrown at Dhoni with increasing frequency these days, but he also is continuing to deflect them with the same combination of a smile and a sword.
Video (via Indian Cricket Team Facebook)
MS Dhoni addressed the media at the JSCA International in Ranchi post the second T20I against Sri Lanka #IndvsSL
Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Friday, February 12, 2016
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