Over the course of what has been a prolonged career as batsman, wicketkeeper and India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has developed a unique way of handling the team as well as the media.
Though he had lost his cool while addressing the media after India’s win against Bangladesh earlier in the World Twenty20, in his typical jovial style, Dhoni hinted that he had no intention to retire.
In fact, the limited-over captain, now retired from Tests, for the first time indicated his desire to feature in the 2019 World Cup.
During Dhoni’s interaction after India’s semifinal exit from the World Twenty20, an Australian journalist asked Dhoni the inevitable question of whether he was keen to continue playing, Dhoni asked the journalist to join him on the dais to have “some fun.”
It was followed by a brief interaction.
Dhoni: You want me to retire?
Aussie: Not that I want. That’s what I want to ask you.
Dhoni: I was hoping it was an Indian media guy because I can’t really ask you if you have a son or a brother who is a wicketkeeper. Do you think I am unfit, looking at my running?
Aussie: No. You’re very fast.
Dhoni: Do you think I can survive till the 2019 World Cup?
Aussie: You should, yes, sure.
Dhoni: Then you have answered the question.
As the scribe stepped down from the dais, Dhoni continued, “I wish it was an Indian mediaperson.
“Then I would have asked if he has a son who is a wicketkeeper and ready to play.
“He would have said no, then I would have said maybe a brother who is a wicketkeeper and who is ready to play.
“You fired the right ammunition at the wrong time.”
Perhaps the world hasn’t yet seen Dhoni in an India jersey one last time.
But going by the way Indian cricket, especially Dhoni’s team, functions, we will get the answer only when India wears the blue jersey again. Let the suspense continue till then!
