MS Dhoni's retirement speculations have been making the headlines ever since India’s World Cup 2019 campaign ended on July 10.

WATCH - MS Dhoni croons “Main Pal do Pal ka Shayar Hoon” in his stunning voice

Following the quadrennial event, the veteran wicketkeeper missed the white-ball series against West Indies, South Africa and Bangladesh. He is not part of the ongoing ODI and T20I series against West Indies at home and there is no clarity over his participation in the New Zealand tour, slated to start on January 24, 2020.

Amid the hue and cry, India head coach Ravi Shastri on Monday (December 9) said Dhoni wouldn't try to impose himself on the senior national team.

However, Shastri added that Dhoni will be back in contention if the World Cup-winning captain decides he is good enough to play for India after the IPL 2020.

"That guy is a legend. The last thing he will want is to impose himself on an Indian team, having known him. He is wanting to take a break but he is going to play the IPL. The amount of sport he has played... if he puts himself in contention... if he feels after the IPL that 'I am good enough to play for India', don't mess around with that," Shastri told India Today.

While making an appearance at a promotional event last month, Dhoni avoided questions related to his retirement and said in hindi, "January tak mat poocho (don't ask me till January)" .

Dhoni had called time on his Test career back in December 2014 while he stepped down as India's limited-overs skipper in January 2017.