India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has indicated that he would have to give up one of the three formats of the game if he is to be part of India’s World Cup title defence in 2015.
Dhoni also did not rule out not playing the World Cup, saying it isn’t clear yet if he would be fit enough to give his best at cricket’s showcase event that will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“By 2013 I would have to see where I stand when it comes to my body. Whether I will be able to survive till the 2015 World Cup. Of course, form is a factor. So by the end of 2013 I need to decide if I am fit enough or I will have to stop playing in one of the formats. I am not that old, I am just 30. There is still time. We will see by 2013, and by 2013… I mean the end of 2013,” Dhoni told reporters on Thursday.
The skipper, who is under pressure after losing six away Tests in a row, was replying to a question on whether he was considering giving up captaining India in one of the formats. Dhoni will be 32 by the end of 2013, and a year older by the time the 2015 World Cup begins.
His workload is one of the biggest in the world, having played 66 Tests and 196 ODIs in virtually non-stop cricket over the past six years. He has been captain of India in 36 Tests, 112 ODIs and 27 Twenty20s. He also leads the IPL team Chennai Super Kings. He has played through back spasms, sore fingers and pain because India couldn’t afford to have him sit out. He was forced to skip home and away ODIs against the West Indies during a packed last year which included the World Cup and IPL.
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