5 reasons why MS Dhoni should not retire as of now

If ever there is a book written on the history of Indian Cricket, MS Dhoni will have an entire chapter to himself. The man has not only been one of India’s finest cricket captains but has also been a great asset to the team as a wicketkeeper-batsman- arguably the best that the country has produced.

However, after a poor run of play in the ODI series against England, where Dhoni played with a below-par strike rate and could not quite finish the games for India, many are of the opinion that the Ranchi lad should retire from ODIs with immediate effect.

Dhoni has always been a team player, and for him, the team interests have always been ahead of his personal landmarks. Here are a few reasons why Dhoni should not retire immediately.

#5. Maturity

MS is known for his calm and mature reactions on the field

Dhoni brings a matured approach to handle a pressure situation. This sort of shelters the youngsters of the team. Youngsters who do not have much of an exposure at the highest level of cricket look up to experienced players when the going is tough.

However, when somebody like a Dhoni is calm and soaking in all the pressure without dropping his shoulders, youngsters feel confident about themselves and believe that the team can still in win it from this particular situation.

The calmness and maturity that stem from MS Dhoni will be a huge plus going forward in major tours and series against sides of the highest quality, enough reason for him to stay in the team as of now.

#4. Spin bowling captain

Mahi has helped the wrist spinners with his constant feedback from behind the stumps

Dhoni is a different leader altogether when the spinners are operating. Even when Dhoni is no more the official captain, having MS in the side, helps Virat field in the deep and allow MS to take charge of the proceedings.

The mutual understanding that MS and Virat have is also helping the team perform better. The wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have also developed a good rapport with MS and they keep on exchanging words between and within the overs, analyzing the wicket and what type of delivery should be bowled to the men on the crease.

As admitted by the spinners themselves, Mahi bhai’s advises indeed helps them perform better and gives them vital insights about their own game- something that Dhoni’s replacement might not be able to replicate.

#3. Wicket-keeping

Dhoni has one of the fastest hands behind the stumps

Although there has been a lot of discussion about Dhoni’s form with the bat and his failure to finish off games with the same amount of success as in the past, there is no doubt about Dhoni’s skills with the gloves.

MS has developed his own unique style of catching, stumping and effecting run outs- very unorthodox and yet effective - kudos to Dhoni’s coaches who did not stop him from his basic instinct even while helping him improve his game. It is his natural instincts as a keeper that has helped him evolve into one of the fastest hands behind the stumps.

#2. Big match player

MS has played many vital knocks for India, none more famous and satisfying than the one at the finals of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

MS Dhoni is undoubtedly a big match player. Bigger the platform, higher the chances of an MSD special. None comes close to his heroics in the ICC Cricket World Cup Final in 2011. Even in the semi-final against Australia in World Cup in 2015, it was only when Dhoni was dismissed that Australia thought that they had reserved a place in the finals.

Dhoni’s reputation as a finisher sometimes gets to the nerve of the bowler and they tend to make mistakes which they normally wouldn’t. It would be hard for anyone who replaces MS to continue from where he left. Another reason he shouldn’t retire just now.

#1. ICC World Cup 2019

MS is India's best option till Cricket World Cup 2019

With the Cricket World Cup in less than a year, MS Dhoni brings a lot to the table and if he decides to retire with immediate effect, his replacement might not get enough exposure before the World Cup.

India cannot afford to take a player to the World Cup and ask too much of him very early in his career. Although an experienced Dinesh Karthik could be a good bet, in terms of keeping skills MS is still a much better option.

Till the 2019 World Cup, MS Dhoni is India’s best option as a wicket-keeper batsman and given Dhoni’s ability to bounce back as a player, MS is one good series away from silencing all his critics and cricket pundits who want him to retire with immediate effect.