Dinesh Karthik RCB MS Dhoni CSK
MS Dhoni, if he plays in the BBL, will be a popular figure amongst the fansShaun Roy/IPL/Sportzpics

If MS Dhoni is fit enough, after retirement, to meet the high demands of playing in Australia's premier domestic T20 competition -- the Big Bash League -- the current India ODI and T20 skipper Dhoni would probably throw his hat into that particular ring.

No Indian player has ever participated in the BBL, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India wanting their players to feature in the domestic competitions, which also takes place at the same time.

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Apart from this, the BCCI is also keen to give their senior players a breather, as the cricketers play a number of international matches in a calendar year.

Asked if he would consider playing in the BBL, Dhoni gave a diplomatic answer.

"It's very difficult for me, we are quite focused on international cricket as of now," Dhoni told reporters. "We'll see how the future goes. It depends on when I retire, whether I'm in a position to play international cricket."

The BBL, which replaced the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, took shape in 2011-12, and has become one of the most popular domestic T20 events in the world. Players such as Chris Gayle and Kevin Pietersen are presently participating in the BBL, along with a host of star Australian players.

The format of the T20 is such that it requires cricketers to be fully fit in order to survive the fast-paced style of cricket. Dhoni, who has already retired from the Test format, will consider playing in the BBL only after hanging his boots from international cricket entirely.

"If you see the quality of cricket [in the BBL], it is high, so a lot depends on the physical fitness and also the ability to carry on and play more cricket. When you play for 10 to 15 years, at times you feel you have played too much cricket, so we'll have to wait and watch and it will depend on the retirement whether it [a Big Bash appearance] comes," added Dhoni.

Dhoni, who is one of the most popular cricketers in the world, and can add great value to the BBL. The BBL organisers will also be pleased to have a player like Dhoni on board, as it will play an important role in increasing viewership from Indian fans.