Same question won’t change my answer: MSD on retirement

Exasperated by the never-ending speculation around his retirement, India’s limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday said being questioned about it at every platform will not change his plan to continue playing for a “considerable period” of time.

“If I say something one month or 15 days back, the answer does not change. It’s irrespective of where I’m asking. The answer remains the same. It’s as simple as what is your name and I will say MS Dhoni. It will remain the same for a considerable period of time unless you give me a new format,” Dhoni told reporters here ahead of the team’s departure for the Asia Cup T20 in Bangladesh.

Dhoni, on Friday, made it clear that he was not retiring from international cricket anytime soon.

The 34-year-old Dhoni had called time on his Test career in the middle of the away series against Australia in December 2014.

“There will be questions, you send me letters or requisitions. If you have the freedom, it’s not right to ask all types of questions. It’s very important to judge everything as to what needs to be done, why it needs to be done. Because somebody has the platform to ask questions, it does not mean that you keep on asking the same questions. It’s a world today where everything is covered by media,” an irritated Dhoni said on the oft-repeated query of his retirement.

He added, “Anything happens questions are raised in India. If we win the World T20 very comfortably, than questions will be asked whether we have peaked too early. If we lose the final, then we will be asked whether we will be able to take the pressure of a final.

“If we don’t qualify then there will be questions whether we’re good enough to handle pressure at home. I don’t think I cannot really stop people from asking the questions. If better questions are raised, I will answer 100 per cent for sure,” Dhoni said.