MS Dhoni would find it even more difficult to get back into the groove and bid for an India comeback if the 13th edition of the IPL doesn't happen, former India pacer Madan Lal said.
Dhoni was due to return to action after nine months from his most-recent India outing, the World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand last July, and lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2020. However, the annual event remains under suspension because of the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"See, there are problems for MS Dhoni. He has not played cricket post-World Cup. If the IPL does not happen, problems for MSD will further increase. I don't know what the team management, Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli or the selectors are thinking," Lal, member of the newly-appointed Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), told ANI.
There have been speculations over Dhoni's retirement, but head coach Ravi Shastri had said the door would be kept open for the wicketkeeper batsman if he is to have a great season of IPL for CSK, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup in Australia. But now there is a massive blockage to that comeback route.
"The selector would want MS Dhoni to first play cricket and then they select him," Lal added. "Team management and selectors have a huge responsibility. I feel that problems have increased. MS has played a lot of cricket and he was one of the best captains. I think he should himself tell what he thinks to the selectors and then the selectors will be able to think."
The deadly outbreak has made it impossible to go ahead with the IPL even in the near future.
"Till the time coronavirus is not over, holding IPL is very tough, because it is very big and the safety of our viewers is very important and also, how our players will travel from one city to another?"
"So, basically there are a lot of problems at the moment. Till the time the government gives clearance, I feel it is tough. For the BCCI and franchises also, it is tough. Need to see what results come by April 30. It will be better if the BCCI and the franchises find a solution," Lal said.
(Inputs from ANI)
