After the conclusion of ICC World Cup 2019 where Team India lost to New Zealand in the Semi-Finals, the former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni seems to have made other plans. He had made himself unavailable for coming two months and was not considered for the team selection of India’s upcoming tour of West Indies which is to begin on 3 August.
As it is reported that the wicketkeeper-batsman had made prior commitments before the World Cup and Rishabh Pant will be given the opportunity in all three formats of the West Indies tour.
Sources confirm that Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has given approval to Dhoni’s request to train with the Parachute Regiment. MS Dhoni, an honorary Lieutenant Colonel would get to train with the battalion in Kashmir. He was awarded the honorary rank in 2011.
MSK Prasad told the press in Mumbai, “He (MS Dhoni) is unavailable for the series. He has expressed his unavailability. Having said that, we had certain road maps till the World Cup. Subsequently, post the World Cup, we have laid down few more plans. We thought of giving as many opportunities to Rishabh Pant to see he is groomed. That’s our plan for now.”
And, as for Dhoni’s plans of retirement, Prasad stated that, “Retirement is purely individual. A legendary cricketer like himself…he knows when it’s the time.”