MS Dhoni’s continued absence from international cricket has raised many eyebrows. After missing the Wes Indies and South Africa series post World Cup 2019, he was expected to return for Bangladesh T20Is but as per a report in Mumbai Mirror, he is not available for that series as well.
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It also raised speculations of him takin a call on his career but that isn’t something that seems to be brewing in his mind. As per a report in IANS, Dhoni is missing matches to give ample of time to Risabh Pant so as he can settle himself in white-ball cricket ahead of T20 World Cup.
In his first year of Test cricket, Rishabh has created oodles of records and has scored centuries in Australia in England as well but in white-ball cricket, he is yet to fulfill the promise.
A comeback for Dhoni would hamper Rishabh’s chances and hence, the former India captain has opted to take time off so as the youngster gets enough time to settle himself across formats.
Rishabh has been under extreme pressure in white-ball cricket of late. India skipper Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri recently criticised the youngster, with Shastri saying there will be rap on the knuckles, talent or no talent.
The youngster has been under the spotlight after the comments of captain and coach and did not do well in the two T20Is that were played after the interview was aired.
He is now set to keep wickets in the three-Test series against South Africa wherein poor performances in initial matches can see him being replaced by Wriddhiman Saha, who is a part of the Test squad despite this being a home series.
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In Tests, he is facing strong competition from like of Saha and KS Bharat but in white-ball cricket, there is no such competition for Rishbh as only Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are in the fray for the job.
Rishabh is likey expected to be rested for the Bangladesh T20Is, which will see either of these two selected for the series.