In a rare and heartwarming interaction, Indian cricket legend MS Dhoni recently opened up about his illustrious career, experiences growing up with cricket, his emotional farewell and even his thoughts on India’s chances in the ODI World Cup 2023.

Although Dhoni has consistently maintained a private persona and has avoided public appearances or speaking to the media, the enigmatic cricketer’s surprising decision to share some heartfelt anecdotes from his life and cricketing journey came during a recent event in Bengaluru.

MS Dhoni names Sachin Tendulkar as his biggest motivation to pursue cricket

During his interaction at the event, Dhoni took a trip down memory lane, recalling how he, like many aspiring cricketers, grew up watching the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Dhoni confessed that Sachin was his primary source of motivation during his ?f?ormative years.

“Growing up, we really didn’t have many videos to watch. So, when we watched Sachin batting, we would think that we could bat like him, only to feel otherwise. He was motivation growing up. But when I started playing for India, the country became the biggest motivation. Though we lost quite a few matches, the motive was always to do well for the country,” recalled Dhoni.

Dhoni reveals the back story behind his retirement planning after NZ loss

Dhoni also opened up about the most heartbreaking moment of his career, the 2019 World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand, which marked the end of his illustrious international career. The veteran stumper revealed that although he announced his retirement a year later, he had made up his mind to retire right after that defeat but didn’t disclose it to anyone.

The former?? India captain further reminisced about wanting to return his training equipment to the trainers but bein?g unsure about how to communicate his retirement decision.

“It gets difficult to control your emotions when you have lost a close game. And inside, I had made my entire planning. To me, that was the last day I played cricket for India. I took retirement a year later, but the fact is that that day I had retired. We cricketers are given certain machines and all of that. So every time I went to the trainer, I gave it back to him. He said, ‘No, you keep it.’ In my mind, I am like, ‘How do I tell him I won’t be needing or using it anymore.’ I didn’t want to announce it at that point in time,” revealed the Jharkhand-born cricketer.

Also READ: Bollywood actor Ayushmann K??hurrana and fo??rmer India cricketer Irfan Pathan brutally troll England after their loss against Sri Lanka

Dhoni on India’s World Cup 2023 chances

When asked about India’s chances in the 2023 World Cup, Dhoni expressed optimism and confidence in the current Indian team. He emphasized the team’s balance and the impressive performances of players, hinting that they are well-prepared for the tournament.

“Understand the feeling. It’s a very good team. There’s a good balance in the team. Every player is doing well. Everything is looking very good. So, I won’t say much about it now; the one who’s wise will grasp the hint provided,” reckoned Dhoni.

Dhoni drops a hint of a possible IPL 2024 return

Dhoni even hinted at his return to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He shared that he is recovering well from a knee surgery he underwent earlier in the year a??nd anticipates bei??ng fit shortly.

“The knee has survived the operation, going through the rehab phase. The doctor told me I would feel much better by November. But no problem in day-to-day routine,” remarked CSK skipper.

Also READ: Top 5 most beautiful cricket stadiums in India

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The 2019 Cricket World Cup was a stage that brought together cricketing talent from across the globe, and the Sri Lankan national cricket team was no exception.

As the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023ย  is about to begin, it’s pertinent to recognize that some prominent Sri Lankan players who graced the 2019 World Cup with their skills will not be part of the upcoming tournament.

Avishka Fernando

Avishka Fernando made a stunning entrance onto the international cricket stage during the 2019 World Cup, captivating fans worldwide with his electrifying batting prowess. His aggressive style at the crease left an indelible ??mark on the tournament, and he etched his name into cricketing history with sev??eral unforgettable innings. However, despite his immense talent and ability to provide explosive starts, circumstances beyond his control have led to his omission from the 2023 World Cup squad.

Lahiru Thirimanne

Lahiru Thirimanne, the elegant left-handed batter, had been a notable inclusion in the 2019 World Cup squad. However, his absence from the 2023 edition has raised eyebrows among cricket fanatics. Thirimanne’s wealth of experience and unwavering technique in the middle order could have provided invaluable stability to the team.

Also READ: Sri Lanka Cricket announces its 15-man s??quad for the ODI World Cup 2023

Angelo Mathews

Former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews, renowned as one of Sri Lanka’s most seasoned all-rounders, played a pivotal role in the 2019 World Cup squad. Unfortunately, a series of injuries and persistent form struggles have regrettably sidelined him from the 2023 World Cup.

Jeevan Mendis

Jeevan Mendis, an accomplished all-rounder known for his leg-spin prowess, proudly donned the Sri Lankan jersey during the 2012 T20 World Cup and the 2015 World Cup campaigns. Following a hiatus of three years from international cricket, the 40-year-old made a remarkable comeback when he was selected for the T20I series against Bangladesh in February 2018. Notably, his inclusion extended to Sri Lanka’s 2019 Cricket World Cup squad, where he showcased his skills on the global stage. However, in December 2021, Mendis bid farewell to his illustrious international cricket career, marking the end of an era.

Thisara Parera

Another all-rounder, Thisara Perera, remained integral to the Sri Lank??an cricket team for a long time. Remembered for h??is explosive batting style, the left-handed batter bid farewell to international cricket in 2021.

Isuru Udana

Isuru Udana‘s left-arm fast-medium bowling and ability to deliver powerful blows in the lower order significantly bolstered the Sri Lankan team’s strength during the 2019 World Cup. His presence was noteworthy back then, serving as a vital squad component. Regrettably, he will not be among the contingent for the 2023 World Cup, signalling a shift in the team’s composition.

Milinda Siriwardana

Milinda Siriwardana, a gifted left-handed all-rounder, etched his name in Sri Lanka’s cricketing history with pivotal innings during the 2019 World Cup. His contributions were undeniably significant in crucial moments. Nevertheless, his absence from the 2023 squad creates a noticeable void in the team’s all-round capabilities.

Suranga Lakmal

Suranga Lakmal, a stalwart in Sri Lanka’s pace bowling department, lent his reliability to the 2019 World Cup squad. He played a crucial role with his knack for maintaining control and discipline with the ball. The 36-year-old bowler bid adieu to international cricket in 2022, marking the end of a remarkable career.

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga is undeniably one of the best pacers in cricket history. The retirement of the right-arm pacer signifies a profound void for the team. Malinga’s mastery of deadly yorkers and invaluable experience proved pivotal during the 2019 World Cup. However, regrettably, he bid farewell to international cricket in 2021.

Jeffrey Vandersay

Jeffrey Vandersay, the talented leg-spin bowler, played a crucial role as Sri Lanka’s spin option during the 2019 World Cup. Nevertheless, it is surprising to note that he has not found a place in the squad for the 2023 World Cup, raising questions about the team’s strategic choices for this significant tournament.

Nuwan Pradeep

Nuwan Pradeep, a right-arm fast-medium bowler, left an indelible mark with his remarkable performances during the 2019 World Cup. His pace, accuracy, and ability to swing the ball made him a formidable force on the cricketing field. His contributions were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s campaign, and his memorable moments are etched in the minds of cricket enthusiasts around the globe. However, the 36-year-old won’t don the Sri Lankan jersey in the 2023 World Cup.

Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023 – Here are complete squads of all 10 teams

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Indian cricketer Mayank Agarwal has finally addressed the enigmatic selfie taken during the 2019 ODI World Cup featuring himself, MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah. Mayank has ended the debates and conspiracy theories surrounding the photograph, particularly concerning the identity of the hand resting on Pant’s shoulder.

Following their victorious match against Bangladesh in the 2019 ODI World Cup, the cricketers were captured enjoying the English summer in the sun. Hardik Pandya shared this picture on social media, sparking confusion among social media users attempting to discern whose hand it was on Pant’s shoulder. This enduring mystery surrounding the photograph has remained a prominent topic of discussion among netizens over the years.

Here is the picture:

Boysโ€?day out ๐Ÿคฉ pic.twitter.com/j3TORR6WSN

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) July 4, 2019