It has been over nine months since MS Dhoni last played any form of competitive cricket. The World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand at Old Trafford was his last appearance in Team India colours.
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In a bid to stake claim for a place in the national squad for T20 World Cup, Dhoni was set to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the 13th edition of IPL.
In fact, the veteran wicketkeeper had begun training in the lead up to the IPL 2020, which was scheduled to start on March 29. After taking to the nets at Ranchi, he landed in Chennai in the first week of March and trained extensively with a few of his CSK teammates, including Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu.
However, Dhoni’s plans got jeopardized by the COVID-19 outbreak as the pandemic forced the BCCI to suspend the cash-rich event “until further notice”.
Speaking to TOI, former Australia batsman Mike Hussey, who is also the batting coach of CSK, threw light on Dhoni’s training session last month.
“MSD is a seasoned and hardened professional. He knows what he needs to do to get ready physically and mentally for a tournament. He was putting in a lot of hard work in the lead up to the IPL,” Hussey said.
“I am sure it won't take him too long to get to the level he needs to play well and contribute. If he still wants to play international cricket and the selectors want him in the team, then, of course, there is a future for MSD in the Indian team,” he further added.
Dhoni is widely deemed as one of the greatest ODI batsmen ever as he averages above 50 with 10,773 runs to his name in the 50-over format.
Acknowledging his remarkable record despite batting in the lower middle-order, Hussey hailed Dhoni as the greatest finisher of all time.
“MSD is the best I have seen in terms of finishing capabilities. It is because he has a calculative mind and plays smart cricket. He also has incredible power. AB de Villiers is also up there with the best of the lot but MSD's finishing skills are at another level,” he remarked.
There are suggestions that the T20 World Cup and various other tournaments, series in the immediate future might be held in empty stadiums.
Sharing the views on the same, Hussey said: “I would always prefer fans to be there at the game. But if it isn't safe, the next best thing to do is host the matches behind closed doors and fans can watch them on TV or online. However, it also needs to be safe for the players as well from each country to travel, train and play.”
