Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is unlikely to witness the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series, which is scheduled in Ranchi from March 16, as he is currently with his state side Jharkhand (for the Vijay Hazare Trophy).
“We are confident of reaching the semifinal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and hence Dhoni’s presence at the Ranchi stadium is “unlikely”,” PN Singh was quoted as saying by Deccan Chronicle.
According to a report, the news was revealed by the manager of Jharkhand, PN Singh, as the team has qualified for the quarter-finals of Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Jharkhand is scheduled to play their knockout game against Vidarbha on March 15.
“Our team arrived in Delhi and Dhoni is flying in a day later. We have a knockout match against Vidarbha on 15th and a semifinal on 17th,” PN Singh said.
If Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side manages to qualify for the semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, it would be difficult for India’s most successful captain to witness the game in his hometown Ranchi, as the series is levelled at 1-1.
Earlier, Dhoni had flown home alongside few members of the Jharkhand team for a two-day break.
“They didn’t travel in a train this time because we have given a 2-day break to all team members and players have gone home at their different destinations from Kolkata,” PN Singh added.
It would also be a historic moment as Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) is hosting the first-ever Test match in Ranchi.
On Thursday, the 35-year-old batsman Dhoni had paid a surprise visit to the JSCA – to access the pitch condition.
On the other side, the Ranchi pitch curator SB Singh stated Dhoni has never intervened in the pitch preparations since past four years before stating Dhoni’s visit has nothing to do with the upcoming Test match.
Last month, Dhoni, who has been a ticket collector in the past travelled with his teammates to Kolkata in a train from Ranchi.
Dhoni played 90 Tests, in which he had amassed 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09 before announcing retirement in 2014.