Retired MS Dhoni makes a special appearance

MS Dhoni restricted himself to only bowling in the nets on Sunday.

MS Dhoni, MS Dhoni retirement, Dhoni Retirement, Retirement Dhoni

MS Dhoni decided to hang his boots moments after MCG Test. (Source: AP)

It was the last place you would have expected him to be. Only four days ago, he had left the cricket world gaping in shock after abruptly bidding adieu to the Test format apparently with nothing more than the parting line from Warner Bros, “That’s all folks”. Ever since he’s slipped out of the radar, leaving everyone else in their wake and wondering where Dhoni could be. But here he was at the SCG nets, as effervescent and lively as ever.

For a second, you wondered whether this was all just a practical joke. Whether he had just pulled a fast one again. But then as the session wore on, it became clear that Dhoni was indeed now an ex-Test player just going through the motions without a bother in the world.

He was the first to get the ball out of the bags, as was generally the case even when he was India’s Test captain, which was till last week. He did partake in the team-huddle led by new skipper Virat Kohli and even shared a couple of words of encouragement with his colleagues. But while the rest went about loosening up and being put through the drills by the strength and conditioning coach, Sudarshan, Dhoni stood on his own shining the ball by vigorously rubbing it against the side of his shorts. And he continued standing there even as Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul emerged in the nets after taking their own time to pad up. Then for around 40 minutes, Dhoni ran in at full tilt and bowled his seam-up.

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He even managed to beat Dhawan and Vijay on occasions, letting them know about having gotten the better of them whenever he did so. On and off he exchanged words with coach Duncan Fletcher. Otherwise, Dhoni stayed away from the nerve centre of the team management, keeping to himself and a few quips with his teammates. He was after all now a former Test captain. He had officially no role to play with regards to the final Test of the series. And if anything Dhoni seemed to be making no fuss about acknowledging that fact.

Bouncing pujara

His spell came to an end after he dished out two rearing bouncers at Pujara, both of which the right-hander ducked under without much fuss. He then limbered off towards the massage table, asked Ishant Sharma to make space for him and sat down. The next 15 minutes were spent bantering with Ishant, Varun Aaron and Sudarshan. Then Dhoni got down to showing off his fitness and his curves as he was put through a rigorous routine of strength and conditioning exercises.

By now it was time for the fast bowlers to bat in the nets. And just as they were about to get done, Fletcher pointed at Dhoni and jokingly asked him to pad up as it was his turn. But Dhoni refused the offer, saying he was better off bowling. Fletcher laughed, and so did Dhoni.

A couple around them joined in the laughter but the rest went about their business. In a way, they too were getting used to life without Dhoni. Just like he was getting used to life without cricket in whites.

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