India captain Virat Kohli takes centre stage in every debate on just who is the best batsman right now and vice-captain Rohit Sharma’s four hundreds in the 2019 World Cup have taken him to the top of most popularity charts.

But the one dominating discussions as the semi-final stage gets near is Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for long an icon.

Will the next two or three (if India make the final) matches be the very last in a glowing career?

Intensely private as a person, Dhoni hasn’t revealed anything, which is typical of him. Remember, out of the blue, with one Test remaining on the 2014-2015 tour of Australia, he announced retirement from the oldest format.

Later, Dhoni (who turns 38 on Sunday) told The Telegraph: “My body could no longer have taken the pressure of playing all three formats at the International level and the IPL...

“I was needing more time to recover physically in Test matches and had to take a call. Think I made the right decision.”

That Dhoni has been using different logos on his bat in this World Cup, in a way recognising the support extended by different sports equipment manufacturers early on, has fuelled speculation that the end may be near.

However, one only has to go back to the 2011 World Cup when just about everybody began wondering if Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar would quit if India regained cricket’s showpiece event.

India won, under Dhoni, but Sachin retired all of two-and-a-half years later!

Dhoni has nothing left to prove, not that he has ever played to make a point or to prove something, and remains remarkably fit.

Besides, Dhoni’s work ethic is worth emulating.

Indeed, even when there’s optional practice — like at Headingley on Friday — Dhoni is present, while the much younger and much smaller/zero achievers prefer to shop or stay in their hotel rooms.

Surely, that says something.

Dhoni isn’t the master finisher he used to be, or not as consistent, but what about the others in the XI? Shouldn’t they stand up and take responsibility?

Or must Dhoni alone be the one to be whipped?

Those who have made it a habit of crucifying Dhoni need to be reminded that he brings plenty to the table.

How many have the same worth? Or, even come close to Dhoni?

Going forward, there could be clarity on how the Dhoni script plays out by the end of the World Cup.

Till the time of writing, Dhoni hadn’t indicated anything to the team. “I haven’t sensed anything either,” a member of the support staff informed this Reporter.

It’s worth remembering, of course, that the next T20 World Cup is in 2020. Not that far down the road...