As India gear up to take on South Africa in the limited-overs format, one cannot miss out on the fact that MS Dhoni is still not back with the team. The World Cup-winning former skipper has been on his 'self-imposed exile' ever since India crashed out of the World Cup following a heart-wrenching loss to New Zealand in the semi-finals. Despite the team's chief selector MSK Prasad, skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri repeatedly assuring that MS Dhoni has no intentions to retire or they are not aware of his plans, speculations of MS Dhoni announcing his decision has been anticipated for a long time now. Recently, skipper Virat Kohli had fuelled speculations of MS Dhoni likely to be announcing his retirement after he shared a picture of Dhoni and himself from a run-chase against Australia in the 2016 World T20. However, skipper Virat Kohli clarified that he was merely paying tribute to the veteran and that MS Dhoni's experience and the ability to groom the youngsters was always valuable to the team. 

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Sourav Ganguly on MS Dhoni's retirement

Many former Indian cricketers have thrown their weight behind MS Dhoni and have said that the veteran would hang up his boots when he thinks it is the right time to. With the team's focus shifting on towards thee youngsters as the Men in Blue begin the preparations for the World T20 in Australia next year and for the 2023 World Cup, MS Dhoni's return to the side has been in doubts. Former skipper Sourav Ganguly was of the opinion that the selectors and the skipper should take the call on MS Dhoni's future, according to media reports. Ganguly felt that the selectors and skipper Virat Kohli were important people and hence they should take a call on the veteran's retirement. Sourav Ganguly also threw his weight behind India and said that the Men in Blue were a very dangerous side, completely capable of dismantling the opposition in both Tests and in the limited over formats of the game.

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Virat Kohli says MS Dhoni is valuable to the team

The Indian skipper said that MS Dhoni thought about the game from the team's point of view and not individually. In addition to it, Virat Kohli revealed that MS Dhoni had a huge role to play in the grooming of the youngsters of the team. The Indian skipper said that the experience of the former captain was very essential for the team. The number one ranked batsman in the world has always looked up to 'Captain Cool' and considers the veteran an essential ingredient of the Men in Blue for the expert advice on the field, providing all his cricketing knowledge and experience to aid Kohli, saving the day for Team India and of course the Dhoni Review System (DRS). Even during times when MS Dhoni has been severely criticized for poor shows, Virat Kohli has always stood by him and has reaffirmed on multiple occasions that MS Dhoni had a huge experience and that he knew what he was doing.

"His (MS Dhoni) experience will always be important. He thinks for the team.He has groomed so many youngsters. As long as he is available to play he will be very valuable", said Virat Kohli.

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