One of the usual ways in which one understands what’s happening in the world of cricket nowadays, this being the age of a locked-down world where everything is about Coronavirus and the chaos, is to hear what a cricketer has to say about a fellow talent.
There’s usually no dearth of excitement when a Pakistani remarks about his Indian counterpart. So when Shoaib had to offer his insights- even when none had specifically quizzed him about them- on MS Dhoni, there was less surprise and more normalcy on the world wide web.
It wasn’t too unusual for yet another cricketer sharing what Dhoni should have done and what he shouldn’t have.
But then, not everyone has played with Dhoni very closely, especially when one speaks of the franchise cricket, where there’s no part being played by the Pakistani talents, as the nature of the sport would have it.
In that regard, some telling insights can usually flow from those who happened to have played alongside the great man, dubbed famously as the “best finisher Team India” had in its ranks.
Now what’s making news at the current moment is what Suresh Raina had to say about MS Dhoni, a legend of the game, who was last seen in live action in the much-important semi final clash against New Zealand, where a low-key outing with the bat saw the curtains on India’s further progression.
Not since June-July of 2019 has the doting cricket fan seen Dhoni in the middle. The common narrative, ever since that point in time, has been what Dhoni can or should do; whether he should play or hang up his boots!
And to that regard, the thoughts shared by Suresh Raina were rather informing, and would make most die-hard fans resort to a smile.
Speaking to the media in a live Instagram session, with no cricket being on at the moment (but of course), Suresh Raina, said, “He was batting really well. Cricket is still left in him. He has looked innovative. We played practice games and those sixes are as big as they were. Three hours of batting in the evening, that too, in Chennai heat is not easy and we did that (during the camp). If you ask me, Mahi bhai is batting brilliantly.”
That being said, there were some other insights shared by the man who was part of the famous team that won the ICC 2011 World Cup as also the ICC Champions Trophy, 2013. Raina, went on to add, ” His body is not showing signs of ageing. He was looking different and was trying to do something else, something different, new. So people will get to know when they see him.”
Well, what do you think- should Dhoni continue to play? Will we see him participate in the upcoming T20 world cup? First up, there’s got to be one happening, let’s hope for the best!!