MOHAMMAD AZHARUDDIN HAS A LAST WORD ON DHONI'S FUTURE

MS Dhoni hasn't announce his retirement yet but made himself unavailable for selection in the upcoming series. Sharing his opinion on the same, former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin said that the talks between selectors and Dhoni is important as he enters the last phase of his career. 

After Team India had a painful defeat at 2019 World Cup semi-final to New Zealand, there were speculations that the two-time World Cup winning captain will be announcing his retirement from international cricket.

When media asked what is the best way when it comes to retirement of big players such as Dhoni, Azharuddin said, “A player wants to play, but selectors have to speak, how long he will play, how he will play, what will happen. About big player, the player is also taken into confidence and spoken to. I feel some decision will come. Otherwise, people will keep writing that (he) should retire, not retire. Because, no statement has come from Dhoni.”

"My opinion is that if he is fit and playing well, he should play. If he is fit and performance is good, he can play. Sometimes what happens is, interest is lost after playing so much cricket. If his interest is still 100 per cent, I feel, he is good player and he should play,” he added.

Further speaking on his special request for Dhoni, Azharuddin said he should take the right decision "I just want to request him. Whenever he plays, he should play aggressively. Sometimes, reflexes slow down after certain age. But, Dhoni, it does not appear that the reflexes are slow. If he plays his natural game more, I feel that will be good for India. He has taken rest for two months. May be, he will tell after that what he will do. I feel he will take the right decision whenever it is to be taken."

Azharuddin also differed with committee chairman MSK Prasad's clarification on selection that Ambati Rayudu could not be picked as one of the replacements during the World Cup, as the team management had made a specific request for an opener.