Shoaib Akhtar told PTI from Islamabad that he cannot understand why Mahendra Singh Dhoni has “dragged it for so long” as it was the right time for him to retire after last year’s ODI World Cup.
The former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was last seen playing international cricket in July 2019. The last match was against New Zealand in the World Cup 2019 semi-finals. India was out of the tournament after losing the game to the kiwis. Ever since the exit, Dhoni has not played in any of the international matches. There has been much speculation and rumors around the retirement of Mahi. However, there is no confirmed news regarding the comeback of Dhoni.
Earlier, many friends of Dhoni and his childhood coach have revealed that Dhoni is willing to play for India and is preparing for the T20 World Cup. Also, there was news that MS will make a comeback in the National Team if he performs well in IPL 2020. Now, the situation seems undesirable due to the recent turn of events after coronavirus outburst.
“This guy has served to the best of his ability. He should leave cricket with dignity. I don’t know why he dragged it for so long. He should have retired after the World Cup,” Akhtar told news agency PTI.
"If I would have been in his place, I would have hung up my boots. I could have played shorter formats for three-four years but I left (after the 2011 WC) as I wasn’t into the game 100 percent. So why to drag?” he asked.
“As a country, you should let him go with a lot of respect and dignity. Give him a nice send-off. He has won you the World Cup and done wonders for India. He is a wonderful human being at the same time. But right now, he seems to be stuck,” he added.
Akhtar said MS Dhoni should have retired after last year’s 50-over World Cup. “When he could not finish the game in the semi-final (against New Zealand). I felt he should have retired but he can only answer why he didn’t,” he added.
“He should have played a farewell series after the World Cup may be and then said goodbye in a manner befitting his great stature,” he said.
Akhtar believes MS Dhoni is now in an uncertain situation but deserves a massive send-off despite the anti-climactic turn of events.
Just for Fun ;) | MS Dhoni facing Shoaib Akhtar
