The contribution of legendary Indian cricketer, MS Dhoni’s childhood coach, Keshav Ranjan Banerjee, in moulding the former’s career has beenꦬ immense. It is well-depicted in the blockbꦬuster movie ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story’.
Banerjee was influential for Dhoni’s liking towards being a wicket-keeper after initially starting as a goal-keeper. Now, Banerjee has opened up about the probable reason for Dhoni’s decision to dr🐎aw curtains to his internationa♒l career.
“Of late, there has been a lot of criticism about him in the media that how he can return to international cricket as he’s not played a single match since the 2019 World Cup semifinal in July. I don’t know but it may have played a role in this decision. Only he (Dhoni) can throw some light into it,” Banerjee told PTI from his Ranchi re🍃sidence.
At the fag-end of Dhoni’s 16-year-long journey in international cricket, the most successful finisher and captain pro꧙duced by Indian cricket, was subjected to a lot of criticism.
Dhoni was often criticized for his slow 𒆙batting approach in white-ball cricket especially during the gamꩵes he failed to finish games.
Further, Banerjee claimed that Dhoni had another world-cup left in him. “Yes, I had said he could have played⛎ for one more year easily including the next T20 World Cup. And I still maintain that. Looking at his fitness level, he could have easily played. It’s not just my opinion but many others thought the same way,” he added.
“There is an end to everything. Yes, I’m heartbroken but, at the same time, ಞyou have to take control of your emಌotions,” Banerjee opined on an emotional note.
Furthermore, the cancellation of the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia did not help Dhღoni’s cause either. The tournament, scheduled between October-November 2020, was deferred until 2022.
“He’s not the only sportsperson to be affected by the pandemic. All players are affected. It’s a hypothetical situation. T20 World Cup is postponed for now. He has made up his mind. It’s his decision.♛ Like alway𒉰s this too was a surprise for all of us,” Banerjee concluded.
