Friday, October 25, 2019

Chief selector sidelines MS Dhoni for Rishabh Pant

MSK Prasad's ambiguous statements hint that the wicketkeeper's days seem to have ended.  Photo: AFPMUMBAI: MS Dhoni’s days as India wicketkeeper seem to have ended, going by the statements of MSK Prasad, the chairman of selectors, while announcing on Thursday India’s T20I and Test squads for the Bangladesh series at home.Dhoni did not feature in the T20I squad - he’s already retired from Tests - and while Prasad didn’t say Dhoni had been dropped, his answer was unambiguous."This is our clear thought process that post World Cup we are focusing on Rishabh Pant only," Prasad said. "I made it very clear post the World Cup that we are moving on. We are giving opportunities to youngsters and see that they establish themselves in the side. With Rishabh Pant doing so well and even Sanju Samson coming into the side (as back-up wicketkeeper), I am sure you must be understanding our thought process,"he said when repeatedly asked the Dhoni question. Prasad also said that Dhoni had been spoken to about his future and the former India captain "also endorses our view of backing youngsters".When asked if Dhoni could make a comeback by returning to domestic cricket, Prasad did not give a conclusive answer again. "That is purely his personal call," Prasad said. "Going into domestic cricket, getting his touch back, or thoughts about retirement, everything is purely his personal (decision). We’ve already laid the roadmap for future, I’m sure you can see in the way we are selecting the teams."Prasad’s comments came after the selection committee meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, which was also attended by the board’s newly elected president and secretary, Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah. Also present at the meeting were India captain Virat Kohli and his deputy in the limited-overs formats, Rohit Sharma.Although Prasad’s panel is already focused on Pant, Ganguly has said he will speak to both Dhoni as well as Kohli on the matter.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2pReuJ8

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