In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, MS Dhoni has emerged as the most formidable finisher based on statistics. The veteran wicket-keeper batter has showcased exceptional performances this year, reminiscent of his prime.
Dhoni has been consistently scoring boundaries at a strike-rate exceeding 250 and remarkably, he is yet to be dismissed this season. As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors deliberate on the final 15 players for the T20 World Cup 2024 squad, some experts have proposed the inclusion of MS Dhoni in the lineup.
Former Indian Cricketers Back MS Dhoni For T20 World Cup 2024
During a conversation on Star Sports, cricketing figures such as Irfan Pathan and Aaron Finch deliberated on the idea of considering MS Dhoni as a ‘wildcard’ addition to the T20 World Cup squad. Speaking to Star Sports, former Australia captain Aaron Finch called the entry of Dhoni in World Cup as “the wildest card.” He said:
“We could see a wildcard entry in India’s T20 World Cup squad… MS Dhoni,”
Irfan Pathan also feels the idea is something that no one will mind. He said: “If he says he wants to play the T20 World Cup, no one will deny him that chance…no one will mind, no one will have a problem with it. The guy is batting so well.”
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag also opened up on the possibility during an episode on Cricbuzz, emphasizing the impressive numbers that MS Dhoni has amassed this year. Dhoni said:
“MS Dhoni has a strike-rate of over 250 and doesn’t have an average because he hasn’t been dismissed yet,”
Earlier, during a candid conversation with Adam Gilchrist, India captain Rohit Sharma was questioned about the prospect of persuading MS Dhoni to come out of retirement for the T20 World Cup, given his exceptional form. Rohit expressed that convincing Dhoni for such a decision would be quite challenging. However, Rohit hinted that there might be a higher likelihood of preparing another veteran, Dinesh Karthik, for the upcoming showpiece event.
