Mahendra Singh Dhoni Was Asked To Quit Limited-Overs Captaincy: Reports
Jan 9, 2019 at 4:10 PM
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to relinquish captaincy ahead of the limited-overs series against England was not a sudden decision but a pre-planned move, as reported by Hindustan Times. It has been learnt that MSK Prasad, BCCI’s chief selector, had a long meeting with Dhoni few days prior to selection of the team for the limited-overs series against England. Dhoni was with Jharkhand squad during the Ranji Trophy semi-final clash against Gujarat as a mentor. During that game, both Dhoni and MSK Prasad had a long chat and it was during this meet only when the chief selector conveyed a message to Dhoni to leave the captaincy.
Dhoni stepped down as the ODI and T20I captain on the last day of the game between Jharkhand and Gujarat. It was the same day when Dhoni met MSK.
Selectors wanted Dhoni to hand over reins to Virat Kohli to let the Test skipper lead the team and select players accordingly for the 2019 World Cup. Dhoni was given relevant reasons before he stepped down from the captaincy.
However, the only captain to win all three ICC trophies now has plans to contribute to the team as a wicket-keeper batsman for long. He will now have a tough task to sustain his place in the team on the basis of his batting and wicket-keeping skills. Now every game and series he plays will be an exam in which he has to score runs as selectors have already added a wicket-keeper to the team in form of Rishabh Pant for the T20Is. Though, a very early call but yes Pant can be a red signal for Dhoni if he is able to continue his domestic cricket form here as well.
The first ODI of the limited-overs series will be played at Pune on January 15.