MS Dhoni has played no international cricket since ICC World Cup 2019. | Photo Credit: AP

Key Highlights MS Dhoni is currently on a break from international cricket Virat Kohli posted a tweet on Thursday recalling a memorable partnership with Dhoni Kohli's post sparked rumours that Dhoni has decided to hang his boots

Mahendra Singh Dhoni might be away from international cricket, but whenever the Indian team takes the field without their former captain, fans and experts cannot but think and discuss Dhoni’s future. While Dhoni is on a sabbatical, his international future remains to be a hot topic of discussion.

Many believed that the ICC World Cup 2019 was the end of his career but Dhoni didn’t hang up his boots and requested the BCCI for a 2-month leave to serve the Parachute Regiment of the Indian army. Social media is abuzz with messages that Dhoni has called for a press conference at 7 pm on Thursday where he will announce the decision to hang his boots.

Since the World Cup 2019, the selectors have made it clear that Dhoni is being looked upon as a back up while Rishabh Pant is being seen as India’s full-time glovesman across formats. Dhoni’s fans have gotten emotional as many of them have posted messages anticipating his retirement later in the day.

Here are some of the reactions:

We are not prepared for this now please!!!! Stop this.... #7pm #Dhoni — Shivashish Mishra (@Tony300rs) September 12, 2019

Is he going to retire?? #Dhoni — Sanjiv Kumar (@ImSanjivkr) September 12, 2019

#Dhoni is my hero



I will stop watching cricket if Dhoni retires pic.twitter.com/sGKnVVIUif — Shivankar Awasthi (@iamshiv08) September 12, 2019

If the retirement news that's circulating is true, then all the fans will be heart broken. With all the criticism aimed at him whenever we feel comfortable, I believe, we effing don't deserve seeing him play that so called Farewell Match. #Dhoni — S A T Y A (@iamsatya11) September 12, 2019

Press conference announced by thala dhoni at 7:00pm lets hope its not about retirement #Dhoni #dhoniinbillionhearts — rohit selvakumar (@SelvakumarRohit) September 12, 2019

Earlier in the day, Virat Kohli took to social media to recall a match from 2016 World T20 where he was involved in a match-winning stand with Dhoni against Australia. “A game I can never forget. Special night. This man, made me run like in a fitness test @msdhoni,” Kohli wrote.

A game I can never forget. Special night. This man, made me run like in a fitness test @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/pzkr5zn4pG — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 12, 2019

The BCCI is yet to confirm any news regarding Dhoni’s retirement. While announcing India's squad for the West Indies tour, chief selector MSK Prasad clarified that Dhoni had informed the board about his decision to take a break from cricket. “Retirement is purely individual (decision). A legendary cricketer like Dhoni, he knows when to retire. What is the future course of action, that is in the hands of the selection committee. I don’t think we need to discuss anything more on it. First of all, he is not available. Second, we have already started grooming youngsters,” Prasad told reporters.

Prasad also added that the idea is to groom Pant – who is being seen as India’s full-time wicketkeeper for all formats. “He (Dhoni) is unavailable for the series. He has expressed his unavailability. Having said that we had a certain roadmap and plans till the World Cup. Post World Cup, we have laid down a few more plans and we thought of giving as many opportunities as possible to Rishabh Pant and to see, he is groomed. That is our plan right now and we did discuss this with him (Dhoni),” Prasad added.