BCCI should retire Jersey No. 7 to pay respect to MS Dhoni’s contribution to Indian cricket: Saba Karim

Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Saba Karim has opined that the Board of Control for Cricket in India should retire Jersey No. 7 to pay respect to MS Dhoni’s contribution to Indian cricket. Dhoni led India to great heights and Karim believes that Jersey no.7 should not be worn by any other player.

Meanwhile, Dhoni was well known for his guile decisions and took India to three major titles – T20 World Cup, 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. In fact, Karim feels not only the Indian board should not only retire MS Dhoni’s No. 7 jersey but also the jersey numbers of other Indian legends to pay them respect.

Karim said on Khelneeti podcast, “I think not only MS Dhoni’s jersey, the BCCI must also preserve the jerseys of many other Indian legends. They must also ensure that the jersey number of that legend is not worn by anyone else. In this manner, one can recognize the achievements and the contributions of the greats of Indian cricket. Most importantly, by doing so you give some much-deserved respect to such legends.”

The jersey number of Indian legendary players is a sensitive issue and should be handled with care  by the Indian board. Earlier, India’s fast bowler Shardul Thakur had donned Jersey no.10 and he was trolled by the fans as the same number was used by Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni celebrated his 40th birthday on Wednesday and the birthday wishes poured in numbers for him.

On the other hand, Karim is hopeful that MS Dhoni will continue to guide the young players and get the best out of them. Dhoni has done a fine job in guiding the young guns to the right track while leading in the IPL for CSK.

“I think not only MS Dhoni’s jersey, the BCCI must also preserve the jerseys of many other Indian legends. They must also ensure that the jersey number of that legend is not worn by anyone else. In this manner, one can recognize the achievements and the contributions of the greats of Indian cricket. Most importantly, by doing so you give some much-deserved respect to such legends.”