Considering the impact of Coronavirus outbreak on cricket, many believe MS Dhoni has already played his last game for India. However, BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry reckons the 38-year-old wicketkeeper still has much to offer to Indian cricket.
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Dhoni, who has been away from competitive cricket since India’s exit from the ICC World Cup last year, was set to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 13th edition of IPL, in a bid to stake claim for a place in the national squad for T20 World Cup.
But with the IPL 2020 being postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19 pandemic, his cricket future has once again become a major topic of discussion.
"Dhoni is fit, he is the best wicketkeeper in India and one of the finest minds in the game," Chaudhry said during a Webinar arranged by Neerja Modi School on Zoom platform.
"During a match you would see him asking a player to move to his right, and then to the left. The player would end up standing in the same place, but the idea is to make him alert. Before that his mind might have been wavering a bit. If I would be a decision maker, I would have him in the team," he added.
While there is no clarity on the resumption of cricket yet, Chaudhry said the IPL must be held in the coming months as it is important not only from the revenue point of view but also for domestic cricketers.
"It is the IPL GC's decision, but my view is that effort has to be made to try and have that situation where the show must go on. It is important for domestic players also. The revenue is also important from it."
Recently, a BCCI official said that it would consider staging the IPL 2020 in October-November window if the T20 World Cup, which is slated to be held in Australia during those months, did not go ahead due to the deadly epidemic.
Asked about the possibility of the IPL being moved away from India keeping in mind the health crisis, Chaudhry said: "Even if the GC decides to shift the matches...it has to be in a country where time difference is not too much. Broadcasters will want that 8 pm slot. It is important for them."
(With IANS inputs)
