MS Dhoni might play for Jharkhand in Vijay Hazare quarters

Dhoni has been training with the Jharkhand team but didn't play in the group league encounters of the team after coming back from Asia Cup, giving rise to speculations that he might give the knockouts stages a miss too.

A day after reports emerged of MS Dhoni’s absence from the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy despite there being no India matches, the former India captain has now all but confirmed his participation for Jharkhand in the knockout stages of the tournament starting from October 14 in Bengaluru.

Dhoni has been training with the Jharkhand team but didn't play in the group league encounters of the team after coming back from Asia Cup, giving rise to speculations that he might give the knockouts stages a miss too.

However, late on Tuesday it was reported that Dhoni in all probability will take the field for Jharkhand.

There has been growing concerns about his batting form as he has not been able to force the pace during the middle overs even though he has the safest pair of gloves along with an astute tactical mind.

In the current year, Dhoni has played only 15 ODIs and 7 T20 Internationals - effectively only 22 days for India and at times his lack of match time becomes pretty evident.

It has also become very difficult as neither state association nor the national selectors are aware as to how Dhoni manages his domestic calendar.

It is learnt that Dhoni has been given the freedom to pick and choose the limited over games that he wants to play for Jharkhand.

All the knock-out matches will be held in Bengaluru. India's limited overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma will also be playing for Mumbai.