We Are Moving On From MS Dhoni, Says MSK Prasad

MSK Prasad, the Chairman of the national selection panel, has finally delivered the update on MS Dhoni’s future with the team. Speculations are rife over MS Dhoni’s retirement ever since the World Cup ended in July this year. The former India skipper has not played a competitive game since the semifinal loss to New Zealand in the World Cup.

As soon as the tournament was over, MS Dhoni took a sabbatical from the game and later extended it. He is yet to return to action and there is still no clarity over when will he return to action. But the selectors seem to have made up their minds on the veteran. MSK Prasad clarified that Rishabh Pant will now be the first choice wicketkeeper for India in the limited overs format.

“Post World Cup I have been very, very clear on this that after the World Cup we have started backing Rishabh Pant and we will still back him and see that he progresses well,” Prasad said after picking the Indian team for the forthcoming T20I and Test series against Bangladesh.

“He might not have had the best of matches which is what was expected of him, but we can only make a player by backing him. We are very, very confident that he will come out successful and this is a clear thought process that post World Cup we are focussing on Rishabh Pant only,” he added.

Also Read: Sanju Samson Or Rishabh Pant? MSK Prasad Reveals Who Will Keep The Wickets Against Bangladesh

Prasad further stated that the selectors have moved on from Dhoni and will now try out youngsters. The selectors have indeed made their motive clear by naming Sanju Samson in the T20I squad.

“That is what I made clear that we are moving on and giving opportunities to youngsters and see that they establish themselves in the side with Rishabh Pant doing so well and even Sanju Samson coming into the side, I am sure you will understand our thought process,” said Prasad.

India, meanwhile, will play three T20Is and two Tests against Bangladesh. The T20I series will start on November 3.