Gautam's serious statement on Dhoni said- Can not play his favorite series

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Gambhir said, “I think the selectors should talk to Dhoni and ask what his strategy is because if you play for India, you cannot choose the series according to yourself.”

Former Indian team opener and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir has given a big statement regarding the retirement of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni has not been in the team since the World Cup and he is constantly seeking comfort from the selectors. On the news of Dhoni’s retirement, Gambhir said, ‘I have always said that the decision to retire is everybody’s personal decision. I think the selectors should talk to Dhoni and ask what his strategy is because if you play for India then you cannot choose the series according to yourself.

Dhoni did not hit the ground after World Cup

During the World Cup-2019, Dhoni remained the target of critics due to his slow batting. He was run-out in the semi-final against New Zealand, only after which India’s hopes were dashed. After Team India was eliminated from the World Cup, Dhoni took a break from international cricket. Dhoni remained out of India’s limited-overs squad for the West Indies tour. During this time he spent 15 days in Kashmir with the Territorial Army Unit. He did not play in the recently concluded three-match domestic T20 International series against South Africa.

Meanwhile, the Indian team management indicated that the former captain cannot be considered as ‘out’. Before the T20 match against South Africa in Dharamsala, Virat Kohli said, ‘One of the great things about him (Dhoni) is that he thinks for Indian cricket. And whatever we (team management) think, they also think the same. ‘Kohli said that the kind of mindset he had about preparing young players and giving them opportunities is still there.

On the other hand, Dhoni is paying full attention to fitness to return to the field. To keep himself fit, he was seen sweating in his hometown Ranchi in the past. He was seen practicing vigorously with young tennis nationals at the JSCA (Jharkhand State Cricket Association) Stadium in Ranchi. Gambhir also said that it is not right to put pressure on young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. The team management should talk to them and support them.

Gambhir defended Pant

Gambhir said, ‘I think if you focus on such a young player like this, there will be trouble. He has only been in one and a half years in international cricket. In this only, he has scored two centuries in the test. If you say that you have problems with their shot selection then this is their game. You take them in the team or not. If you are choosing him, then you support him because so much criticism of a young player is not right.

Gambhir said, ‘Not only Virat Kohli, but coach Ravi Shastri should also talk to Pant. The job of team management is that your player who is not in form or is doing the wrong shot selection, talk to him and bring him to form and improve his game. There is a need to give freedom to Pant.