Ravi Shastri on MS Dhoni Replacing Rishabh Pant for WTC 2023 Final

image-lh1w81j7MS Dhoni trains for CSK in IPL 2023 (IPLT20.COM)

Ravi Shastri has given his take on whether MS Dhoni should come out of his international retirement for India’s upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final Test against Australia.

Dhoni, who played his last international for India back at the 2019 World Cup before announcing his retirement, made his exit from Test cricket in December 2014.


Ravi Shastri praises MS Dhoni for inspiring young keepers

While speaking on ESPNCricinfo, cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri discussed if MS Dhoni should consider a return to international cricket amidst India’s wicketkeeping crisis.

Team India is set to face the Australians in the upcoming WTC 2023 final at The Oval in June. However, India’s regular wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is set to miss out on the high-octane clash as he continues to recover from the injuries he sustained in last December’s car accident near Delhi.

The BCCI selected newcomer KS Bharat in a 15-player squad, which also features provisional stumper KL Rahul.

Shastri says it is unlikely for Dhoni to come back into the Test side, claiming the veteran wicketkeeper has already made up his mind. He said:

"Once MS makes up his mind, he makes up his mind. To leave Test cricket, where he could have easily played for a year or year and a half, if he was statistically driven like our country is then he would have loved that 100 Test match mark, big crowd, nice ceremony, nice presentation, walk around the crowd, say goodbye to everyone...he doesn't want that."

The former Indian coach also praised Dhoni for inspiring young keepers across the country with his exemplary skills behind the stumps.

"He has shown up a lot of young keepers in the country with the way he has kept behind the stumps, the way he has moved just for someone who doesn't play first-class cricket just to pitch up."

Dhoni is currently leading the Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2023 season. While the legendary cricketer has remained an integral member of the ‘Yellow Brigade’ since the tournament’s inception, many believe the ongoing season might be the last of his IPL career.