Dhoni s needs over and over again to raise the bar in order to be fit for the 2019 World Cup

Mahendra Singh Dhoni flashed a familiar smile and extended his arm. His handshake was firm, as always.

Moments earlier he had been swarmed by fans in the hotel lobby even as he alighted from the lift. Dhoni’s popularity has not dipped a tad.

Dressed in a tight t-shirt and jeans, he came into view of super fit for 2019 World Cup. “Do I have any other choice,” he joked.

A professional athlete’s life can be inflexible. You come under a microscope. Then there are questions that follow – Is he getting on in age, is he slowing down etc..?

The India-Australia limited overs series beginning at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Sunday could see Dhoni answering many of those queries as like Glittering star.

Dhoni as a wicket-keeper batsman, have a handle on only the odd mistakes often remembered more than a substantial contribution.

He has to be on his toes, silence the doubters and build on what has been a glittering career. At 36, much of his incredible journey from a small town to the big, bold lights of international cricket is behind him. But then, the challenges ahead could get his competitive juices flowing.

Dhoni had a record for the 300-game mark in ODIs; and 100 stampings in them. These are times though when he may have to discuss some tight bends.

Dhoni no longer plays Test cricket, there can be long breaks between series, and he has to keep an eye 2019 World Cup.

Each time he fails to live up to his own high standards, he will be under even more inspection.

Yet, there could be more surprises for the climax in the ICC 2019 World Cup.

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