“Wait for the IPL to Get Over:” Ravi Shastri Hints on the Future of MS Dhoni

Since walking off the field after a dramatic run out in the semi-finals of World Cup earlier this year, MS Dhoni is yet to play competitive cricket. The break which started as a short one to serve his army regiment is yet to end.

After much delay and stepping out of multiple bilateral series since the World Cup, it raised to confusion whether Dhoni will play in the home series against West Indies which is set to start from December 8.

The confusion was cleared once the squads were announced, with Dhoni not being a part of it.

Talking about Dhoni after India’s series win against Bangladesh, Indian team’s coach hinted that fans might have to wait till the Indian Premier League (IPL) to watch their hero play.

“It all depends on when he starts playing and how he is playing during the IPL,” Shastri told IANS. “What are the other people doing with the wicket-keeping gloves or what is the form of those players as opposed to Dhoni’s form. The IPL becomes a massive tournament because that could be the last tournament after which more or less your 15 is decided.”

The last time MS Dhoni played an international match:

India’s team selection will be with an eye on the T20 World Cup next year, which is scheduled after the IPL. Even if Dhoni does well in the IPL, it’ll be interesting to see if gets the nod for the World Cup without much competitive cricket.

“There might be one player who might be there and thereabouts in case of an injury or whatever,” Shastri further said. But your team I would say would be known after the IPL. What I would say is rather than speculating of who is where, wait for the IPL to get over and then you are in a position to take a call on who are the best 17 in the country,” he said.