Mumbai: Indian cricket fans on social media went in panic mode on Thursday after MS Dhoni was dropped from the BCCI’s list of centrally contracted players, raising fresh doubts on the future of the former India captain who has not played since the World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand last year.
Fans started discussing Dhoni’s achievements and records as a batsman and wicketkeeper with some even asking him to carry on playing for the country. Worried that he might announce his retirement soon, some fans even started cursing BCCI for leaving the former captain out of the central contract list.
Rumours about the 38-year-old’s retirement have been doing the rounds ever since he took a break from cricket after India’s exit from the 2019 World Cup in England. The semi-final against New Zealand, which India lost and crashed out of the tournament, as a result, was the last time Dhoni was seen on a cricket field.
MS Dhoni has since trained with his regiment in the Territorial Indian Army, made a handful of public appearances. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had earlier revealed that Indian cricket officials have held discussions with MS Dhoni on his future.
Earlier in November 2019, Dhoni had said Don’t ask me till January, before questions on his sabbatical, which started with India’s semi-final ouster from the World Cup in July, could even be thrown at him.
One of the biggest names in Indian cricket, Dhoni led India to two world titles — the 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the 2011 ODI World Cup at home.
