MS Dhoni to join BJP? Party leader fans speculation amid retirement talk post-World Cup

Following India's exit from the ongoing World Cup after the semi-final loss to New Zealand by 18 runs on July 9, rumors loomed about former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni considering his retirement from the game. Although no such decision has been taken by the World Cup-winning captain yet, rumors of Dhoni joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after his retirement made rounds in the media. 

BJP leader Sanjay Paswan who is a former MP from undivided Bihar and was a MoS in the Vajpayee-led NDA government, said that MS Dhoni could be following the footsteps of former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir and could join the political outfit following his retirement. He said that there had been long discussions about the former skipper joining the party, however, the decision will only be made after he announces his retirement. 

MS Dhoni played a crucial knock against the Kiwis, a 50-run knock that almost saw India to victory before he was run-out by Martin Guptill, bringing the curtains down on India's dream of lifting the Cup for the third time after 1983 and 2011.    

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The middle-order batsman came under the line of fire after a string of slow performances for India in the group stage of the World Cup and was even criticized for his intent while playing the game. Regardless of the flak he received, the former skipper enjoyed the support and backing of captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri who made it clear that the 37-year-old knew his game and could navigate around it without others having to suggest him about the same.

Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah had met the former captain at his residence as a part of the Sampark for Samarthan campaign, following which rumors of Dhoni's membership in the political outfit started doing rounds. 

Dhoni's involvement with the party comes ahead of the assembly elections of the state of Jharkhand scheduled to take place in the month of  November and December. It is also alleged that Dhoni might be made the chief ministerial candidate as he is very popular among the people of the state and is well-known among the youth of the state.  

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