Dhoni: I can easily play beyond the 2019 World Cup

In a promotional event in New Delhi, the former India captain said, replying to a query, “Sitting how I am today, yes, I can easily go beyond that (2019 World Cup).”

Dhoni led Jharkhand to the semifinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Former India captain M. S. Dhoni has expressed confidence he will be able to continue playing for the national team at least till the 2019 World Cup. In a promotional event in New Delhi, he said, replying to a query, “Sitting how I am today, yes, I can easily go beyond that (2019 World Cup).”

Dhoni had been asked whether he was a “100 percent” certain about playing the tournament two years away. He said, “There’s nothing called 100 percent, the reason being, we’re in 2017, 2019 is two years away. A lot can change in two years, especially when you have played cricket for over 10 years and seeing India cricket team's schedule, it is a very tough schedule.

Uske baad aap thoda vintage gaadi ban jate hain (After this period, you become a vintage car). A lot of caring is needed. Looking at everything, how it’s going [for me], [I] definitely [should be able to participate in the World Cup]. But anything can happen.”

Fixing his attention only on the limited-overs formats of the sport, Dhoni has regularly featured in limited-overs domestic matches for his home state, Jharkhand, besides playing One-Day Internationals and Twenty20s for India. He led Jharkhand to the semifinal of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Bengal; he scored 70 in an unsuccessful chase of 330. Earlier in the tournament, he had scored a match-winning 129 against Chhattisgarh, rescuing his team from a shaky 57 for 6.

Dhoni has also given up the post of captain for his Indian Premier League team Rising Pune Supergiant.