Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's childhood coach Keshav Banerjee said that the Champions Trophy, to be held in June this year, would decide Dhoni's fate.
At the launch of an under-14 cricket tournament, Keshav Banerjee said, "At the moment, his sole focus is on the Champions Trophy. If he's successful there, I think he would go on till the World Cup 2019."
MSD's childhood Coach Mr. Banerjee felt that former Indian skipper is regarded as one of the best finishers of the world, who still has a sharp brain despite the drop in success ratio.
He added, "It's natural that with age, you would not hit the same strike rate. But his willpower and game-analysing sense are the two qualities that make him special. He's out there playing domestic one-dayers (Vijay Hazare Trophy) to keep himself in shape ahead of the Champions Trophy."
Banerjee said about Dhoni's decision of stepped down from India's limited overs captaincy, "He never liked to be pushed so he called it quits before anyone could point fingers at him in the Tests format. He never kept anyone in the loop, even his best friend or parents did not know when he quit Tests."
He is not pleased with the Rising Pune Supergiants, who recently removed MS Dhoni as a skipper of it for the 10th season of the Indian Premier League.
Banerjee stated, "It appeared to me a decision by the team owners as Dhoni did not have any choice now but to play this season (with Chennai Super Kings being suspended)."
MS Dhoni's childhood coach has seen Dhoni's rise from the school level, who said that MSD was known by his punctuality, discipline and "he's still the same, has not changed a bit."
He also urged the Indian cricket board to encourage cricketers in under-14 age group. Mr. Banerjee said at the 10th edition of Yo Cup organized by Mainland-Sambaran Cricket Academy, "I know they've big facility (National Cricket Academy) in Bengaluru but we must look after U-14 kids. They need to be nurtured properly. They need some recognition and motivation."Â
