Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the players who earned more honors, or garnered more laurels for Indian team has been playing for Team India for 12 years. Started off with the world cup in T20 Internationals, he led India in winning several other crucial trophies all the way which was usually unexpected and never earned before.

Once again after a while, the discussion on Dhoni’s retirement has come out. Following the second India vs New Zealand Twenty20 in Rajkot, Dhoni had come under the scanner with the likes of VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar asking him to make way for the youngsters. He was criticized and trolled by many for playing slow innings when the team had to score more than 12 an over.

In Dhoni’s defense, skipper Virat Kohli has made a strong argument saying that “people need to be a bit more patient”. Dhoni also got the backing of coach Ravi Shastri. But all these while, the Ranchi man has been keeping a dignified silence.

However, Indian Cricket Team coach Ravi Shastri on Tuesday once again extended his support to MS Dhoni, saying those commenting on the two-time World Cup winning skipper should look back at their own careers.

“People should look back at their career before commenting on Dhoni. The former captain has a lot of cricket left in him and it’s the duty of the team to back the legend,” Shastri said during a promotional event on Tuesday. The coach further said the culture of the current team is based on performance and quality.

Adding to it, “There’s no one better than Dhoni on the field gave his ability behind the stumps and with the bat, and his presence of mind and sharpness on the field.” Shastri also lauded the players’ athleticism and said: “In terms of fielding this team is the very best in the world at the moment and that’s something that separates this team from Indian teams of the past.”

When asked Shastri about whether Dhoni did enough to be a strong force for the 2019 World Cup; during an interview in Colombo. The head coach replied:

“When was he not a strong force? It’s only people who go and think he is not. Where were there any doubts? There was never a doubt in my mind. How can there be a doubt when he is still the best wicketkeeper in the country in the one-day format. Forget his batting. Batting he will continue to surprise you. Let me assure you, what you are seeing is only a trailer. The movie will start now. There could be a movie starting very soon. Plus he is a living legend in the dressing-room, a great inspiration to the younger players as well.”

“This team always turns up on the park to win. We hope to win the series spread over one and half months before going to South Africa. This team is not about one particular individual, we lose together, we win together,” concluded Ravi Shastri.

India will take on Sri Lanka in three Tests beginning with the Eden five-dayer on November 16, and this will be Shastri’s first home Test series.

Must Read: Finally, MS Dhoni Responds To Ajit Agarkar, VVS Laxman, And Ganguly’s Criticism