T20 World Cup: What postponement of biennial event means for MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday gave notice of postponement of the T20 World Cup, originally slated to be conducted in Australia later this year to 2021, and although the decision eventually ends the uncertainty encircling the tournament’s future, it has triggered worries to the future of some veteran cricketers, who are on the last lap of their illustrious career, and It is likely to change plans for the likes of MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers and many more.

Now that the mega event has been deferred, take a look at our analysis on what the future has in store for these legends.

It’s been more than a year and still there is no news on MS Dhoni’s future. India’s World Cup winning skipper has not featured for India in any form of cricket since India’s untimely exit from the 2019 World Cup.

Even though, the former chief selector of the BCCI, MSK Prasad claimed that the team had moved on from Dhoni, he was believed to be back in the reckoning for the T20 WorldCup based on his performance in the IPL. Untill two day back, the likelihood was at risk as IPL stood postponed.

But, with the Indian cricket body all set to stage the tournament in the UAE, MSD’s fans would be delighted. Who knows? Perhaps Dhoni has one more ace up his sleeve before calling it a day.

South Africa’s white ball skipper Quinton de Kock confirmed on Monday that de Villiers, who has retired from international cricket on May 2018, was in line to play the T20I World Cup.

Reports of his potential comeback has started doing the rounds during the ODI World Cup 2019, where the former Proteas captain had informed Faf du Plessis of his desire to play the World Cup, causing a huge stir.

With South Africa struggling to deliver good results, Faf du Plessis had earlier stated that plans are being made to bring de Villiers back for the T20 World Cup.

Earlier in 2020, it was reported that de Villiers was all set to play in at least one of South Africa’s T20I series before the T20 World Cup, but with very little cricket resumption taking place, AB de Villiers’ plans remain surrounded in uncertainty.

However, given his participation in the 3T tournament and postponed IPL 2020, South Africa should be optimistic of de Villiers being ready to feature in the T20 World Cup.

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