MS Dhoni was surprisingly omitted from India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against Windies and Australia.
Team India selectors, on Friday, announced the squad for the T20I series against Windies and Australia. And it is safe to say that the MSK Prasad-led panel sprung quite a few surprises. And probably the biggest of them was all was the axing of veteran wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni.
The unexpected decision comes at a time when Dhoni is struggling with the bat. Dhoni’s recent form in T20s has been underwhelming. And with the next World T20 still a couple of years away, it is clear that the selectors are looking at options beyond the 37-year old.
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Dhoni has been facing criticism since the home T20I series against New Zealand last year. Some handy outings in the South Africa series including his first T20I fifty after playing over a decade helped him ease the burden off himself. It was followed by a stunning outing in the Indian Premier League. He led from the front, as Chennai Super Kings won the title for the third time. The 37-year old enjoyed a stunning season with the bat, amassing 455 runs in 16 games.
But he has struggled with the bat since then. He had a forgettable tour of England. He also failed to do well in the Asia Cup.
And the recent snub clearly means the selectors are looking at other options. Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik have been picked as the specialist keepers for the two series. Pant has been in impressive form since slamming a 32-ball ton in the Syed Mushtaq Trophy. Since then, he finished the IPL as the second highest run-scorer, scored a century in Tests in England, scored 92 twice against Windies and made his ODI debut. On the other hand, Karthik is also one of the most-sought after keepers in the country.
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He has performed well in the opportunities he has been granted in the shortest format of the game, including a last-ball six that won India the Nidahas Trophy earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the fans and experts were quick to react to the news of Dhoni getting dropped from the T20I squads. Here are some of the reactions:
The big news is obviously the absence of MS Dhoni from the T20 squad. The next World T20 isn't till 2020 so this is an acknowledgement that someone else will be behind the stumps there.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2018
If this is indeed the end of the road for MS Dhoni as a T20 international cricketer, we must pause a while and applaud. That 2007 World T20 and his central role in it will be a big part of the history of Indian cricket.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/MiROfficial10/status/1055877481591390209
After selector dropped dhoni…
Me and Dhoni Fans Right Now..?
#Dhoni #Mahi #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/SIGvv0EacI— Anuj ??? (@AnujKem) October 27, 2018
After announcement of T-20 team without THE GREAT GREAT legend #Dhoni @msdhoni THERE IS NO NEED 2 WATCH ANY MATCH…. BECAUSE #Dhoni sir will not b a part of it???♂️ ab DRS ka romanch b gaya? but koi baat nahi SIR K BINA MATCH HI NAHI DEKHNA HAI??? @imVkohli #Dhoniwapaslao
— iam_mjsrk (@iam_manansrk) October 27, 2018
The man who controlled his emotions all his life made his fans emotional at many places! #Dhoni era will have a lot to say! #Dhoni #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/ykOGRXtlJp
— vardaan kapoor (@kapoorvaru) October 27, 2018
.No @msdhoni in the squad?? pic.twitter.com/BdvPQ5jRKO
— Parthiv Patel (@parthivpatel) October 26, 2018
Why @BCCI Whats the problem to #Mahi_Bhai Sadest news to all #Msdians.@msdhoni We can't seen any match without You .@msdhoni You are my everything . pic.twitter.com/jawGD02a5A
— Aashu chaudhary (@Aashudhoni) October 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/SijuMoothedath/status/1056024480915456001
Indian fans right now after @msdhoni dropped out of t20 #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/BrMJiK0pvJ
— chhotaninja (@chhotaninja) October 27, 2018