Asia Cup 2018: Selectors Unimpressed with MS Dhoni Captaincy Return

Cricket fans, especially in India were taken aback when MS Dhoni came out for the toss ahead of the clash against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2018. Rohit Sharma was given rest, and as a result, the former India skipper replaced him for the dead-rubber clash.

With India having already sealed a spot in the finals by then, the match hardly had any significance regarding the impact on the points table.

Trouble in the paradise

But it turned out to be a special one, as Dhoni led the side for the 200th time in ODIs. In the process, he became only the third cricketer to lead a team in 200 or more games.

However, not everyone was pleased with the call. MSK Prasad-led Indian team selection panel is reportedly said to be unhappy on MS Dhoni captaining the side.

“The selectors are not pleased that wholesale changes were rung in for the match and both stand-in captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shikhar Dhawan sat out with MS Dhoni forced to be captain again, out of nowhere,” a BCCI source was quoted saying by India Today.

Dhoni-led India plays a thriller

The game ended in a tie but India went on to lift the Asia Cup 2018 by beating Bangladesh in another last-ball thriller.

However, Dhoni has often been seen as the player’s captain. Interestingly, it was the ex-skipper who asked Rohit to hand over the trophy to the newcomer, Khaleel Ahmed.

“Dhoni bhai asked Rohit Sharma to let me hold the trophy on the dais. He gave me the trophy because I was the youngest member of the team and it was my debut series. It was a memorable experience for me,” Khaleel was quoted as saying by The Times of India.