Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey has warned the critics against writing off MS Dhoni, saying the selectors can’t discount the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman if he is willing to play again for India.
Hailing his former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammate Dhoni as a champion, the CSK batting coach Hussey said former Indian captain has given so much to India both as a player and leader and he is confident of him doing it again at the highest level only if he wants to do it.
Read Also: Mike Hussey names MS Dhoni as captain of his all-time IPL fearsome XI
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding Dhoni’s future as the legendary cricketer has been on a self-imposed break from cricket since the ICC World Cup semi-final against New Zealand last July. However, the sabbatical was to end in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) but the tournament was suspended indefinitely due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking about Dhoni’s international future, the Aussie feels if Dhoni wants to play for India again, then he should not be ignored even though he has been out of action since last July since he is an extremely fit person and he can easily make a comeback.
Hussey said during 'HotSpot: The Cricket Podcast' with Deep Dasgupta: “I am obviously not an Indian selector but I don’t think you can discount MSD. You should never write off champions and champion players, and he has given so much to the country as a player and leader. He (Dhoni) still keeps himself in very good shape so as long as he keeps himself fit and healthy.”
Read Also: Learned the art of reading pitches and setting fields from Dhoni, says Kuldeep Yadav
The former batsman also believes that the ongoing sabbatical would provide him an opportunity to refresh him and see whether he wants to play again for the Indian national team.
He added, “Maybe this break is really helpful for him to rest and get a break especially from the physical side of things…because he has so much experience. It will take time to get his skills to the required level but not as long as other players who don’t know their game as well. He has a great understanding of his own game and the whole game in general. I am not worried about the skilled perspective,”
He further added, “The only question is it is up to MSD himself really. Whether he is willing to be physically and mentally fully engaged to play for the country at the international level, then I have no doubt he can still do it. But does he want to do it?”
Hussey signed off by saying, “Maybe this forced break for MSD will give him an opportunity to mentally refresh (in that regard) and get that hunger to want to do it again (for India). I am not writing him off no question whatsoever, but I think it is up to him, and in his mind, in his heart, whether he still wants to do it (at the international level).”
(With India Today Inputs)
