Champions Trophy in England will decide MS Dhoni's fate, says childhood coach Keshav Banerjee

New Delhi: There isn't literally any cricketing personality who has not been wondering for how long is one of India's favourite captains, MS Dhoni is going to play for the Men in Blue. The latest person to express his views on the saga is Mahi's childhood coach Keshav Banerjee who believes the upcoming Champions Trophy in England is going to play a huge role in deciding for how long will Dhoni continue playing.

"At the moment, his sole focus is on the Champions Trophy. If he's successful there, I think he would go on till the World Cup 2019," Banerjee said at the launch of an under-14 cricket tournament.

One of the best finishers of the world, Dhoni still has a sharp brain despite the drop in success ratio, Banerjee felt.

"It's natural that with age, you would not hit the same strike rate. But his will power and game-analysing sense are the two qualities that make him special. He's out there playing domestic one-dayers (Vijay Hazare Trophy) to keep himself in shape ahead of the Champions Trophy."

Having surprised everyone by calling it quits from Tests Down Under in late 2014, Dhoni stepped down from limited overs captaincy in January.

"He never liked to be pushed so he called it quits before any one could point fingers at him in the Tests format," Banerjee said.

"He never kept anyone in the loop, even his best friend or parents did not know when he quit Tests."

After the recent decision of IPL outfit Rising Pune giants to replace MS Dhoni with Steve Smith as captain of the team for IPL 10, Banerjee seemed unhappy with the way the change was brought about.

"It appeared to me a decision by the team owners as Dhoni did not have any choice now but to play this season (with Chennai Super Kings being suspended)," he said.

It was indeed Banerjee who shaped up Dhoni's early days as a cricketer as it was seen in the well documented in the biopic 'MS Dhoni: The Untold Story'. A cricket coach at Dhoni's alma mater, Jawahar Vidya Mandir at Shyamali in Ranchi, Banerjee persuaded a then class VI football goalkeeper to become a wicketkeeper. The rest, as they say, is history.

"He was known by his punctuality, discipline and he's still the same, has not changed a bit," he said.

Having seen Dhoni rise from the school level, Banerjee urged the BCCI to encourage cricketers in under-14 age group.

"I know they've big facility (National Cricket Academy) in Bengaluru but we must look after U-14 kids. They need to be nurtured properly. They need some recognition and motivation," he said at the announcement of the 10th edition of Yo Cup organised by Mainland-Sambaran Cricket Academy.

(With PTI inputs)