Selectors had informed MS Dhoni that it is time to move on and give a chance to a younger player

To many, it came as a shock when they couldn’t find MS Dhoni in India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against the Windies and Australia. For long, Dhoni has been the central pillar around which the current Indian team has been built, and it was almost blasphemous to leave him out of the shortest format of the game. However, the reality of the situation is that the MSD who smashed fours and sixes at will is one of the past.

The Dhoni who walks into bat today takes his time – a bit too much time for the liking of fans and experts – but does not make a sizable contribution to the team’s total. Nevertheless, the veteran stumper has a special place in the heart of Indian cricket fans. After all, this is a captain who pulled India from its sorry times right after the 2007 World Cup exit and brought glory that very year by leading the side to an unexpected T20 World Cup victory.

The laurels kept coming for MSD in the following years, as India clinched the CB Series in Australia and finally brought the World Cup back home after 28 years. The Men in Blue had completely asserted their dominance when they lifted the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. All along, it was MS Dhoni who was at the helm. But times have changed, and so have his abilities, which is something the selectors have finally taken note of.

They hence decided to drop him for the next six T20Is that India are scheduled to play. It is likely that Dhoni will feature less often in the shortest format, which paves a way for a youngster to take his position behind the stumps, especially keeping in mind that the next T20 World Cup is a couple of years away.

MS might not carry on till 2020 T20 World Cup

While many predicted the end of his T20I career, a report from Indian Express confirms that Dhoni has been dropped. This message was also conveyed to him through the team management well before the selectors met to pick the squad for the upcoming T20I series.

“The selectors before selection meeting had informed Dhoni through the team management that time has come to move on and give a chance to a younger player in the shortest format. Everyone knows that Dhoni might not carry on till 2020 T20 World Cup. Selectors felt the Indian board should start looking for Dhoni’s replacement from now on,” a BCCI source mentioned.

Earlier this year, Dhoni scored heavily in the Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning return to the IPL but has since been struggling to contribute to the national side. He was even booed in Lord’s during an India-England ODI for showing a ‘lack of intent’ at the crease.

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