MS Dhoni Unavailable For South Africa T20Is

Hours after reports emerged that the selectors are unlikely to pick MS Dhoni in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, the former India skipper has reportedly made himself unavailable for the games.

Speculations were rife that MS Dhoni would retire at the end of the World Cup. However, the former India skipper left everyone surprised by not only deciding against retiring but also taking a two-month break. Consequently, he could not make it to the ODI or the T20I squads for the ongoing tour of West Indies.

And while everyone was expecting Dhoni to return to action in the upcoming series against South Africa, it looks highly unlikely now. According to India Today, sources close to Dhoni have stated that the legendary cricketer won’t be available for the series.

“He won’t be available to play these games,” a source said.

The selectors are likely to announce the T20I and Test squad for the South Africa series in the first week of September. Media reports are suggesting that the selectors would largely stick to the T20 team that did well in West Indies and Dhoni won’t be picked. But with Dhoni making himself unavailable, the selectors will not face much problem.

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In Dhoni’s absence, Rishabh Pant has been keeping the wickets. He is India’s number one wicketkeeper in the ongoing tour of West Indies and is likely to be given a longer rope. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni will not be seen in action before November if he does not play the South Africa series.

India’s next white-ball assignment will be in November when Bangladesh come home for three T20I matches. However, with the T20 World Cup next year, it would be interesting to see whether the selectors pick him for that series.

It should be remembered that Dhoni has fallen down the pecking order in T20Is. Last year, he was not selected for the T20I series against West Indies and Australia. He did make a comeback in the subsequent series against New Zealand and Australia but only because the team-management wanted him to have good match practise.