While there have been a lot of speculations about former skipper MS Dhoni making a comeback, Team India head coach Ravi Shastri told India Today that Dhoni will start with a fresh mind and body when he resumes training after the ongoing break from international cricket.

Dhoni has not played for India since the World Cup semifinal against New Zealand. He had trained with the Territorial Army - 106 TA Battalion (Para) in Jammu and Kashmir for 2 weeks after missing the limited-overs series in West Indies right after the World Cup.

While talking about Dhoni’s retirement from Test cricket, Shastri said, “How many people would have retired after playing 94 Test matches? And a farewell for his 100th Test match could have been in Ranchi, could have been anywhere. It would have been a full house. He says 'The gloves belong to Wriddhiman Saha. Take it. Off I go'.”

“Dhoni is a big event player. The World Cup was a big event. He gave it his all. We didn't win that we lost in the semi-final. He might be wanting to take a break. But he is going to play the IPL. I saw a photograph the other day. He is pulling out a bat and he has started training,” he added.

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The 57-year-old then went on to reveal that the wicket-keeper batsman from Ranchi will play the upcoming IPL and will in all likelihood take it from there.

“I think he will play the IPL and take it from there. If he has an outstanding IPL I don't rule anything out with that kind of experience with that kind of knowledge of the sport. If he decides to play, which he will because he will play the IPL, then he will start training with a very fresh mind. Then you have got to see the form.” he said.

Shastri also hinted that Dhoni may have played his last ODI for India and if he decides to return in blue, it will be only for the shortest format of the game.

"I like the time when he is starting to play again. I don't think he is too keen on the one-day stuff. He is finished with Test cricket. T20 is an option. It's a format that is tailor-made for him. But will his body be able to cope with the demands only he will answer. 

The rest would have done him a world of good, mentally. That mental fatigue would have gone away by now."

(With India Today inputs)