Is it time for Dhoni to go?

"Maahi maar raha hai"

This line from the blockbuster 'M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story' is enough to describe the potential and caliber of
Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Cricket is transforming at a rapid rate and there is always a hunt for a newcomer who can
turn the table or fill shoes of the veteran greats of the game. After the retirement of Ashish Nehra, MSD is the only
link left in this modern young Indian cricket team who has the experience and wisdom to guide these young talents
to legendery heights. The role of Maahi in the team has changed from being a skipper to a mentor and he himself
realises this more than anyone else. This is also a responsibility and a phase in the cricketing career of a player
which is meant to be played well.

If numbers communicated
Dhoni is not a player who can be judged on the basis of numbers alone or his performances in the past 4-5 innings.
Our media keeps doing judgemental analysis on the basis of numbers and motivate their viewers to have sceptical
views. Dhoni has smashed close 10,000 runs in ODI’s with a phenomenal average of 51.55 batting lower the order.
He is the best finisher in the world and 2nd best chaser after Virat Kohli. There had been many times when the team
lost early wickets and faced the situation of apocalypse, it was the adherence of Dhoni and skill to bat with the tail
enders that made India to conclude on a respectable total.

Dhoni's coolness and understanding of the game is in perfect balance with the flamboyance and brio of Indian
skipper Virat Kohli. MSD at 36 in a recent 100m race outperformed Hardik Pandya who is 12 years younger than
him. This is a proof of his supreme fitness and desire to perform in any situation. He owns the record of most
stumpings in the history of the ODI’s with 105 stumpings under his belt and 291 catches. With the introduction of
DRS in the game Dhoni’s experience and judgment behind the stumps turns out to be a great asset for the team in
critical situations. He’s a phenomenal contributor to the game whether he is batting or fielding.

Comments on Dhoni

Gary Kirsten former coach of India once said that he can go on a war with MSD on his side. Answering to the
questions whether Dhoni should play 2019 World Cup, Michael Clarke, former Australian skipper said "Forget
2019, Dhoni is fit enough to play 2023 World Cup." Australian legend Mike Hussey, who has played under the
leadership of Dhoni in Chennai Super Kings, said one of Dhoni’s greatest qualities as a skipper was that he made his
players “realise” that cricket was “not the most important thing” in a person’s life. Former India captain Sourav
Ganguly feels that Kohli needs Dhoni in the team and the former captain-wicket-keeper will surely continue till
2019 World Cup.

No player is immortal and there comes a time when every player has to finally retire. The thought that it is time for
Dhoni to go should be kept aside and we should cherish the present time that we are fortunate enough to watch
Dhoni play because there's more to come.

"Players are temporary. Class is permanent."