Dhoni has no plans to retire, says friend Pandey

New Delhi, July 19 

MS Dhoni has no immediate plans to retire despite intense speculation surrounding his future, his longtime friend and business partner Arun Pandey said. Speculations over Dhoni’s future intensified ever since India lost their big-ticket World Cup semifinal against New Zealand. 

“He has no immediate plans to retire. The constant speculation over the future of a great player like him is unfortunate,” Pandey said. Pandey’s comments came ahead of Sunday’s team selection for the West Indies tour. The picture on Dhoni’s plans will be clearer once the squad is picked for the tour beginning August 3.

BCCI officials are expected to speak to the two-time World Cup winning captain. 

With the selectors looking at the future following the World Cup, the 38-year-old may not be an automatic pick in the team. Former national selector Sanjay Jagdale said the MSK Prasad-led selection panel should find out what was going on in the veteran wicketkeeper’s mind about his future. 

Time to take practical decision on Dhoni: Gambhir

MS Dhoni invested in future as skipper by demanding younger players and it is now time that “practical decisions” are taken with regards to him given that youngsters are once again waiting in the wings, says former India opener Gautam Gambhir. “When Dhoni was the skipper, he invested in future. I remember Dhoni saying in Australia that me, Sachin and Sehwag can’t play the CB series together as the grounds were big,” Gambhir said. “He wished for younger players for the World Cup. It’s necessary to take practical decisions than being emotional. And, it’s time to groom the youngsters. Be it Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan or any other wicketkeeper, whoever is believed to have the potential should be made the wicketkeeper,” he said. — PTI