‘Why even talk about MS Dhoni’s retirement’, asks Javed Akhtar

Poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar at the launch of Sonal Sonkavde's book 'So What' in Mumbai on June 10, 2019. (Photo: IANS)


Writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has backed wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni asking him not to retire from the game.

After India’s heart-wrenching exit from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, speculations are high that Dhoni would soon retire from the game.

However, Akhtar feels Dhoni has a lot of cricket left in him and there is no point talking about his retirement.

“As a middle order batsman or a WK M S Dhoni is a totally dependable n trustworthy. Virat is graceful enough to accept that Dhoni’s understanding of game is an advantage for the team .One can see that a lot of cricket is still left in Him . Why even talk about his retirement (sic),” urged Akhtar on Twitter on Friday.

Earlier on Thursday, singer Lata Mangeshkar requested the 37-year-old Indian cricketer not to retire from the game. “These days, I have been hearing that you plan to retire. Please don’t think this way. The country needs you and it is my request, too, that you don’t allow even the thought of retirement to enter your mind,” Mangeshkar tweeted in Hindi.

Dhoni, who has not had a good outing with the bat, faced a lot of criticism for his slow-paced innings throughout the World Cup with some of the critics even asking him to retire from international cricket.