'Everyone will be respected' - Ganguly on speculations about Dhoni's future

After taking charge as the BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly said he'll have a word with M.S. Dhoni, but emphasised the retirement decision rests with Dhoni.

Published : Oct 23, 2019 18:36 IST , MUMBAI

M.S. Dhoni asks Sourav Ganguly to don the captain's hat for a few overs during the latter's final Test for India in 2008.
M.S. Dhoni asks Sourav Ganguly to don the captain's hat for a few overs during the latter's final Test for India in 2008.
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M.S. Dhoni asks Sourav Ganguly to don the captain's hat for a few overs during the latter's final Test for India in 2008.

Sourav Ganguly doesn’t believe in rushing things. The former India captain, who took charge as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s new president on Wednesday, said that he will have a word with Mahendra Singh Dhoni before jumping the gun about his future.

After the World Cup, Dhoni has been out of action, leading to speculations about his future. But Ganguly has made it clear that in his regime ‘everyone will be respected’.

“I have taken over today and hopefully we will have a word with one of the greats of Indian cricket (Dhoni),” Ganguly said.

While Ganguly strongly believes that the ‘Champions don’t finish quickly’, he admits that only Dhoni can decide on his future.

Read: Focus on Dhoni as selectors meet to pick squad for Bangladesh series

“It depends on him. Even when I was left out and when the entire world said he will never make it, I believed in myself and came back and played for four years. Champions don't finish quickly,” Ganguly -- who had made a remarkable comeback to the Indian team in 2006 after being out of the side for a year -- said.

“I don't know what is in his mind, what he thinks about his career. We will leave at that. He is one of the greats of the game. Over a period of time, his achievements, when you sit down and take note, you say, ‘wow’,” Ganguly said.

Since the Indian team’s World Cup exit, Dhoni, an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, joined his unit in the south Kashmir region to carry out patrolling, guard duties and similar responsibilities just like other soldiers.

But Ganguly doesn’t want to speculate. “Till I am around, everybody will be respected and that doesn’t change,” Ganguly said.

The selectors will meet in Mumbai on Thursday to select the squad for the Bangladesh series and doubt over Dhoni’s participation remains.

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