Dhoni not part of India T20I squads, Rohit to lead against WI

MS Dhoni isn't part of both T20I squads while Virat Kohli has been rested for the Windies T20Is © crick247.blogspot.com

MS Dhoni hasn't been named in India's T20I squads for the series against the Windies and Australia, with Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik being chosen as the wicketkeeping options by the MSK Prasad-led selection panel which met in Pune on Friday (October 26).

Dhoni, who has played 93 T20Is in his career so far - 11 less than what India have played overall - has scored 1487 runs and has effected 87 dismissals behind the stumps, apart from leading India to a title victory in the inaugural edition of the World T20 in 2007.

The decision to exclude Dhoni was taken with an eye on the future as far as India's wicketkeeping options are concerned for the shortest format, while it could also be the new direction for India's wicketkeeping after the 2019 World Cup.

"The T20Is here and in Australia, he [Dhoni] is not going to play, because we are also looking at a second wicketkeeper. That will be between Rishabh and Dinesh Karthik. So they will be getting a chance to keep and bat," Prasad said.

Meamwhile, Rohit Sharma will lead India in T20I series against the Windies with regular skipper Virat Kohli being rested for the three matches against the Caribbean side. Kohli, though, will be back to captain the team in the three-match T20I series against Australia which begins 10 days after the Windies series comes to an end in November.

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