MS Dhoni Won't Be Back In Indian Team Until & Unless He Plays Domestic Cricket: Report

Will MS Dhoni ever represent India in international cricket again? The biggest question making round since the World Cup 2019 is seeking answers and the former India captain hasn’t yet answered to it yet. Present captain Virat Kohli, head coach Ravi Shastri and BCCI’s President Sourav Ganguly have all addressed the matter at least once since then but a clear picture is not yet available.

Also Read: Shane Bond Expresses Interest To Become England Fast Bowling Coach

Dhoni isn’t a part of the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh but is expected to be back for the West Indies series. But the biggest question is on what basis?

Dhoni hasn’t played a single competitive match since the month of July. He isn’t a part of Jharkhand’s squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which stars tomorrow and if he makes a comeback, then it will be the second time in two years that Dhoni will be selected on the basis of status rather than form.

Also Read: Three Indian Bowlers In Top 10 ICC Women’s ODI Ranking

While doubt still remains over his future, sources have hinted that Dhoni will have to play domestic cricket to be back in the national side.

“Yes, if he (Dhoni) wants to make himself available for the Indian team, he must play domestic cricket. Until and unless he is playing domestic cricket, he won’t be considered,” sources told The Indian Express.

However, the biggest issue that there is no List A or T20 tournament after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Dhoni does not play first-class cricket now – he retired from Test cricket in 2014.

Even if the selectors and team management are willing to select Dhoni, on what basis will the India legend make a comeback? He will play IPL next year but prior to that, there is no clear picture whether Dhoni will play any competitive cricket.

Rishabh Pant, who has been tipped to succeed in white-ball cricket, is yet to fix his spot and has already got a challenger in T20Is in form of Sanju Samson. He has already lost his place in the playing XI in Tests and is running out of time in white-ball cricket, despite the selectors saying that they will back the youngster for long.