BCCI Official Reveals Why MS Dhoni is Excluded from T20I Squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India official revealed the reason why former Indian skipper MS Dhoni is excluded from the T20I squad. Dhoni could not find his place for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Windies as well as Australia. Meanwhile, Dhoni’s poor form with the bat has also come under the scanner.

On the other hand, the next T20 World Cup in 2020 is in Australia. Dhoni is in the twilight of his career and he is expected to take a final call on it after the conclusion of World Cup in 2019. In fact, Dhoni is likely to hang his boots after the World Cup. Therefore, it makes sense to try out the young blood in the shortest format of the game.

“It’s a given that Dhoni won’t be around when next ICC World T20 happens in Australia in 2020. So, there wasn’t any point continuing with him if he will not play World T20,” a senior BCCI official privy to selection policy told PTI on Saturday.

Furthermore, Dhoni’s form in the shortest format isn’t impressive. He has only scored two fifties in the 80 innings he has played in the shortest version. Thus, Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik will take up the wicketkeeping duties in the forthcoming series.

“Obviously, the selectors and team management had a good deliberation on this issue. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were present at the selection committee meeting.”

“You think selectors could have gone ahead without their approval?” the official said.

MS Dhoni has played seven T20I matches in 2018. He had scored a good knock of 52 off just 28 balls while playing against South Africa. However, apart from this innings, Dhoni has 71 runs in the remaining six matches.

In fact, one former Indian player questioned the place of MS Dhoni if Rishabh Pant performs well.

“If Pant plays well and Dhoni’s inconsistent run continues, would you still call him a certainty for World Cup? On what basis?” questioned a former India player.

Dhoni has been under the scrutiny after his form’s graph has taken a downward slope. In fact, it makes sense to give an opportunity to young players as Dhoni is unlikely to part of World T20 in 2020.