Debasis Sen, London: Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Friday said it will be difficult for anyone to fill in the boots of Mahendra Singh Dhoni once he decides to hang it. Speaking at a function at The Oval, the Little Master shared his thoughts about Dhoni who is in the twilight of glittering career.
“It will be sad when he decides to hang his boots like it happens with every good player. But those boots are going to be very very hard to fill,” said Gavaskar.
The former great made a very significant comment about the speculation making rounds about Dhoni’s retirement.
According to Gavaskar, “Well I think that’s going to be a little bit tough. The search will start now.”
The former opener reckons Risabh Pant has to be groomed to take the place of Dhoni who is 38 years old now.
“We might think that Rishabh (Pant) will do what Dhoni has done. With Dinesh Karthik also in the late thirties he might not be there for a long time. Hardik Pandya may be the man who will have to do the finishers job. This is what we kind of hoping but Dhoni was Dhoni. He was unique and one of the greatest,” said Gavaskar
According to sources, the two time World Cup winning captain will not travel to the Caribbean for the three match T20 & ODI series against West Indies. He will make himself unavailable to give opportunities to young guns like Shreyas Iyer. The Indian team will leave for the one month long tour of the West Indies on July 31. The Men in Blue will play three T20I’s followed by three ODI’s and two tests.