Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

India's Dhoni fends off retirement talk

India captain MS Dhoni says he hasn't contemplated calling it quits after the cricket World Cup.

India's former cricket captain MS Dhoni

India captain MS Dhoni says he hasn't contemplated calling it quits after the cricket World Cup. (AAP)

India captain MS Dhoni has fended off suggestions the cricket World Cup will be his international swansong.

Dhoni stepped down from Test cricket during his side's recent 2-0 series loss to Australia but says quitting limited-overs internationals had not crossed his mind.

"My Test retirement has really excited you," Dhoni said in Sydney on Sunday.

But had he even contemplated retiring?

"No, no, no."

Dhoni's immediate task is to get his team looking more like defending World Cup champions.

They go into next month's World Cup as the No.2-ranked ODI side but have been beaten by both Australia and England in the current Tri-Series.

After being pipped by Australia, they were made to look ordinary by England in a nine-wicket loss in Brisbane last week.

India will be close to full strength for their clash with Australia at the SCG on Monday, with only batsman Rohit Sharma unavailable through injury.

India have had little time off since landing in Australia in December, with a four-Test series flowing straight into the current competition.

But they have enjoyed a six-day break following their loss to England in Brisbane.

"What's important is to switch on and switch off and breaks like these really help you do that," Dhoni said.

"We made sure the practice session we had was slightly more tough and more realistic.

"You give them good breaks and you want the sessions to be more purposeful."


2 min read

Published

Updated


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world