It's Time For Indian Cricket To Look Beyond Dhoni: Gautam Gambhir

Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir feels that the decision of retirement should completely be left on Dhoni

Former India skipper MS Dhoni's retirement from international cricket has now become the talk of the town. While some experts feels that the veteran's 'time is up' and he should hang his boots to give chance to young players, many believe that a great player like Dhoni knows when to say goodbye for the final time. Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir feels that the decision of retirement should completely be left on Dhoni. However, he made a definite statement that he doesn't see the 38-year-old playing 2023 World Cup. ‘I feel that retirement is a very individual decision. Till the time you want to play you are allowed to play, but you do have to look at the future as well. I do not see Dhoni playing the next World Cup,’ Gambhir told Indian Express. ‘So whoever is the captain (then), Virat or any one else, should have the courage to say so, that this player is not fitting into the scheme of things. It’s time for some of the youngsters to get groomed in the next four-five years, because ultimately it is not about Dhoni, it is about the country.’ Gambhir feels young players like Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson should be given the opportunity as it's time for Indian cricket to look beyond Dhoni. ‘It is not about Dhoni staying on for the next cricket World Cup, it is about winning the next cricket World Cup. You might want to give the opportunity to Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson, any young cricketer… They should get the opportunity… I think personally, if you ask me, I think it’s time for Indian cricket to look beyond Dhoni.’