Over the course of what has been a prolonged career as batsman, wicketkeeper and India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has developed a unique way of handling the team as well as the media. Though he had lost his cool while addressing the media after India’s fortunate win against Bangladesh earlier in the World T20, in his typical jovial style, Dhoni hinted that he has no intention to retire. In fact, the limited-overs captain, now retired from Tests, for the first time indicated his desire to feature in the 2019 World Cup.
> SECOND SEMIFINAL IN PICTURES
During Dhoni’s interaction after India’s semi-final exit from the World T20, an Australian journalist asked Dhoni the inevitable question of whether he is keen to continue playing on, Dhoni asked the journalist to join him on the dais for having “some fun”.
> Pitch, dew contributed to India's difficulties, says Dhoni.
It was followed by a brief interaction.
>ICC WT20 2016Captain MS Dhoni turns the tables - gets a journalist to answer his query on retirement plans.
Posted by >Indian Cricket Team on Thursday, March 31, 2016
Dhoni: You want me to retire?
Australian journalist: Not that I want. That’s what I want to ask you.
Dhoni: I was hoping it was an Indian media guy because I can’t really ask you if you have a son or a brother who is a wicketkeeper. Do you think I am unfit, looking at my running?
Australian journalist: No. You’re very fast.
Dhoni: Do you think I can survive till the 2019 World Cup?
Australian journalist: You should, yes, sure.
Dhoni: Then you have answered the question.
As the scribe stepped down from the dais, Dhoni continued, “I wish it was an Indian mediaperson. Then I would have asked if he has a son who is a wicketkeeper and ready to play. He would have said no, then I would have said maybe a brother who is a wicketkeeper and who is ready to play. You fired the right ammunition at the wrong time.”
Perhaps the world hasn’t yet seen Dhoni in an India jersey one last time. But going by the way Indian cricket, especially Dhoni’s team function, we will get the answer only when India wears the blue jersey again, in an ODI series against New Zealand at home in October. Let the suspense continue till then!
PTI adds:
WE HAVE 15 MATCH WINNERS: SAMMY
West Indies skipper Darren Sammy said his team was inspired by his country’s Under-19 team that won the World Cup and the women’s team, who also made it to the final earlier in the day.
“We came here on a mission, we were inspired by the under-19 boys earlier this year, the ladies won earlier today, now we have two West Indies team in the final. We feel this is this West Indies team against everyone else. Everyone said Chris is under pressure but I said it, we have 15 match-winners. Today Charles, Simmons and Russell took that responsibility,” Sammy said.
Sammy said this win, that has taken them to the final, augurs well for the future of his team.
“We knew it was going to be a massive step, against a very good India team, I must commend the whole team, we knew halfway they were 10 runs short. Even when we lost Gayle, Simmons just off the flight, he and Charles did it. I was just praying we win the toss, I surprised myself winning five out of five,” he said.
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