New Delhi: Former India captain MS Dhoni’s sudden decision to retire from international cricket has surprised many. Amid this former Pakistan fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar opined that ‘the Prime Minister of India might request Dhoni to play for the next T20 World Cup’.
“It would be great to see the former Indian skipper in action, considering that the World Cup will be played in India,” said Akhtar in a recent Youtube interaction season ‘BolWasim‘. On being asked if he felt that it was the right time for Dhoni to take the retirement, Akhtar responded that he could have played the T20 World Cup while adding that it was the wicketkeeper’s personal choice.
“I think he could have played T20 cricket, he could have gone on to play the T20 World Cup. And the way India supports its stars, the way they love them and recognises them, they would have played him in T20s. But it was his personal choice,” he said. The former cricketer also said that he felt that ‘MS Dhoni has already achieved a lot in his cricketing career and that India would always hold him in high regard’.
“But again he has won everything, a person from Ranchi has rocked the whole of India, what else do you need. At the end of the day, the world should remember you. And a nation like India, they will never let you get forgotten,” he added.
Taking about farewell for Dhoni he said, there has been talking all around about that for the India legend. Akhtar said, “The entire country would be extremely keen on giving the wicketkeeper-batsman a grand farewell subject to the 39-year-old willing to be a part of it. India will be geared up to give him a farewell game, trust me. If he doesn’t want, it is a different thing but India will be ready. The whole stadium will be booked for him to play a couple of T20 matches and then go after that.” he said.
Akhtar shared that he predicted a strong performance from the Chennai Super Kings captain in the upcoming IPL. “He is going to hit a lot in the upcoming IPL, he has not retired yet from the IPL. He is a great guy. Whatever he has got is because of his great intentions, his hard work. In the whole world, if you are a star, you should be born in India. The amount of love they give, I feel no other country does that much,” he said.
He then went on saying, “There is a possibility of the Indian Prime Minister requesting MS Dhoni to reconsider his decision and play for the T20 World Cup in India next year, just like Pakistan General Zia-ul-Haq had asked Imran Khan to prolong his career and play the 1992 World Cup.”
“You never know, the Prime Minister may call him and request him to play the T20 World Cup. That is also possible. Imran Khan was asked by General Zia-ul-Haq not to leave cricket after 1987 and he played. You cannot say no to the Prime Minister” said Akhtar.
