'Dhoni is still fit enough to play international cricket', feels his childhood coach

Mumbai: Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni is still fit to continue if Team India wants best out of him, feels Dhoni's childhood coach Keshav Banerjee.

Dhoni's retirement rumours were put to a rest temporarily after the 38-year-old decided to take a two-month break and serve his army regiment after playing Indian Premier League and World Cup 2019.

Dhoni had already made himself unavailable for the West Indies tour, but he has now informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he will be joining the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army.

"Dhoni still has cricket left in him. I know that. He is still fit enough to play international cricket," Banerjee told IANS.

There have been talks going on about Dhoni's retirement since India's exit from the semi-finals of the World Cup 2019. There have been reports suggesting that the selectors were not keen to assure Dhoni a place in the playing XI.

"I feel they (selectors) should talk to Dhoni and make things clear," said Banerjee.

"I know Dhoni very well since he was a boy. Not even his best friend would know when he will retire. So I really have no idea. But he looks fit as ever and is enjoying his game. To me, he had a good World Cup and looked sharp."

Asked whether Dhoni should make way for young wicket-keepers like Rishabh Pant, Banerjee opined: "He (Pant) needs guidance and who better than Dhoni to guide him. It is my personal opinion. I don't know what BCCI will do. But if you ask me, they should manage Dhoni well from here on if they want him in the T20 World Cup as well. Dhoni does not need to play every series. That's how Rishabh Pant can also fit in."