1.20 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Dhoni scoffs at retirement talk, wants to play in World T20

India's MS Dhoni hits the ball for four runs during his Cricket World Cup semi-final match against Australia in Sydney, March 26, 2015. (Reuters)

Published
By Agencies

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni refused to give an indication whether he will retire from one-day cricket after his team lost the World Cup semi-final to Australia.

The 33-year-old, asked if he had decided to stay or quit after the defending champions' 95-run defeat at the Sydney Cricket Ground, bounced the question back at the media and asked them to "do research".

"I think you all should do research and whatever you write, the opposite will be the truth," Dhoni said, without elaborating. "I am not that old, so do your research first."

Dhoni made a shock retirement from Test cricket in December after the third Test of the four-match series against Australia, with the decision being announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) through a media release.

In the immediate aftermath of Thursday's loss, Dhoni had suggested he would continue to play international cricket at least until the 2016 World Twenty20 tournament which is being played in India.

"I'm 33, I'm still running, still fit. Next year, T20 World Cup, will be time to decide about the 2019 World Cup," Dhoni told a TV interviewer.

Reign


India's reign as cricket's world champions is over. Four years after they won the World Cup at home, they bowed out in the semi-finals, beaten by Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

India came into the World Cup with low expectations after struggling during their build-up but lifted themselves up when it mattered.

They went through their six pool matches and easily won their quarter-final against Bangladesh but ran into a red-hot Australian side.

India's players were disappointed to lose but gracious in defeat, acknowledging that the Australians had played better.
For India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, it was a moment tinged with sadness.

Four years ago, Dhoni led India to win the World Cup on home soil, setting off one of the biggest celebrations seen in the world's largest democracy.

India knocked out the Australians in the quarter-finals, ending their run of three successive World Cup titles between 1999 and 2007, and went on to win the final.

"It's something that doesn't really belong to anyone. We definitely took it from someone, so somebody took it from us. It's as simple as that," Dhoni said.

"The best team takes it for four years and then everybody gets their own plans ready, depending on the conditions, and they challenge the one that has the Cup.

"It doesn't stay with one for long, but that's how it has been. If we would have played better cricket on this particular day, maybe we would have gone into the final. But that's how it is. In any international sport you have to be at your best. If not, the Cup gets shared."

For Dhoni and his players, the consolation for losing was they get to go home a few days earlier. The Indian team have been in Australia for four months, playing a four-match Test series and a warm-up tournament before the World Cup, and are fatigued.

They came away empty handed, losing the Tests and the One Day International tournament they entered, but with renewed hope for the future and a ringing endorsement from Sachin Tendulkar.

"Well played in the ICC World Cup Team India," the Indian batting great tweeted. "A tough game today and a loss is always difficult to handle. But you have played some terrific cricket throughout and all the fans have enjoyed watching you. Congratulations to Australia for a convincing win."

Campaign

Meanwhile, Dhoni praised his team for a good World Cup campaign despite being knocked out of the tournament.

Dhoni's team had bounced back from a winless Test and one-day tour of Australia prior to the World Cup to reach the last four with seven straight victories.

But they found Australia too strong at the SCG as the hosts piled up 328 for seven before bowling out the defending champions for 233 despite a run-a-ball 65 from Dhoni.

"Before the World Cup we faced a lot of problems because of the poor form of the players. It seemed nothing was going our way," Dhoni said.

"But the good thing is that the dressing room atmosphere was very pleasant and that made our comeback easier.

"Of course we are disappointed not to be in the final, but then only one team can win. Australia played better cricket today."

Dhoni said the 300-plus target could have been chased if India had wickets in hand, but the Australian fast bowlers seized the initiative with wickets at regular intervals.

"I think the total was chasable because I expected the wicket to get slightly better for batting in the second half. And our batsmen know how to chase 300.

"But hard work was needed to get those runs. Anyway, once three wickets had fallen, I knew we were not going to get there."

Dhoni declined to predict the winner of Sunday's final between the two co-hosts Australia and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"The shorter format is all about how you play on the day," he said. "The only things New Zealand will need to consider are the bigger outfield and the two-paced pitch at the MCG.

"Both teams have played well and deserve to be in the final. Hopefully I will reach home in time and enjoy the final on TV."