Cheeky Dhoni once again swats away ‘retirement’ murmurs

Mumbai: Despite suffering a heart wrenching loss at the hands of West Indies today at the World Twenty20 semifinals in Wankhede, Mumbai, Indian skipper MS Dhoni seemed to maintain his upbeat attitude as he once again brushed off the never ending speculations on his retirement through a cheeky display of witty banter with an Aussie scribe.

“Come here, let’s have some fun,” Dhoni responded to a question from an Australian journalist by inviting him to sit next to him on the dais.

While putting his arm around the journalist, Dhoni asked, “Do you want me to retire?”

“Not that I want. That’s what I want to ask you,” replied the journalist.

“I was hoping it was an Indian media guy because I can’t really ask you if you have a son or a brother who is a wicketkeeper. Do you think I am unfit, looking at my running?” Dhoni asked again while evoking laughter among the scribes in the media room.

“No. You’re very fast.”

“Do you think I can survive till the 2019 World Cup?”

“You should, yes, sure.”

“Then you have answered the question,” concluded Dhoni while patting the journalist, who walked back to his seat.

West Indies remained on course to win their second World Twenty20 title after thumping hosts India by seven wickets at the Wankhede Stadium.

Chasing a daunting target of 193, West Indies relied on Lendl Simmons (82 not out), Jonathan Charles (52) and some late flourish from all-rounder Andre Russell to cross the finishing line with two balls to spare. (ANI)