Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni is no longer an automatic selection and does not seem to be in the scheme of things as well. A report in TOI suggests that Dhoni has been told that he is not in the scheme of things now and selectors are going ahead with youngsters.
Also Read: Kumar Dharmasena admits his mistake committed in World Cup final
World cup 2019 was widely speculated to be the last international assignment for Dhoni but he has not announced his retirement for now. He will be joining the Indian army for a period of two months and will stay away from the game. Hence, one should not be expected any news regarding Dhoni’s future for the next two months.
An update regarding him is expected to be delivered before the start of the home series against South Africa that kicks off in the month of September. Dhoni had made himself available for the series against West Indies. He was granted leave by BCCI.
In his absence, Rishabh Pant for the first time in his career, is set to don the wicketkeeping gloves in limited-overs cricket on a full-time basis. There is no second wicketkeeper in the squad as the selectors dropped Dinesh Karthik.
Looking at the selection, it gives a clear indication that the selectors are preparing a team for the next T20 World Cup. Rishabh is expected to be given a number of chances before the tournament so as he can establish himself in white-ball cricket like he has done in the longest format of the game.
Also Read: MSK Prasad reacts to Ambati Rayudu’s 3-d tweet
As far as Dhoni is concerned, he might not play for India again but as MSK Prasad mentioned, retirement is a personal decision and it is up to Dhoni whether he wants to continue to contribute to the team.
India kick off their next international assignment in August against West Indies. The first leg of the series will be played in the USA, where both the teams will lock horns in two T20Is. Last T20I will be played in Guyana, which is also the venue for first ODI. The next two ODIs will be played in Trinidad. Antigua and Jamaica will host two Test matches respectively.
The upcoming series is expected to be the farewell series for West Indies legend Chris Gayle.