Selectors Not Keen To Pick MS Dhoni For SA T20s, Plan To Continue With Pant

The 3-match T20 series against South Africa kickstarts from September 15 in Dharamsala. The remaining two games will be played at Mohali (September 18) and Bengaluru (September 22)

The BCCI is expected to pick the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 leg against South Africa at home on September 4 and the curiosity remains over the selection of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman last sported the Indian jersey in the World Cup 2019 semifinal against New Zealand where the men-in-blue lost the battle by 18 runs and got knocked out. According to several reports, the selectors aren’t in a mood to consider Dhoni for the series and continue with Rishabh Pant. In all likelihood, the squad that blanked West Indies 3-0 is likely to be retained (subject to fitness) and the selection committee wants to continue building towards World T20 in Australia in October 2020. “There are only 22 T20 Internationals before India play their first World T20 game and selectors are clear in their vision that it's time to move forward,” a senior BCCI official was quoted by PTI as saying. “They are planning on getting a pool of three keepers ready for limited-overs, especially T20s," he added.

It is yet unclear whether the BCCI brass or the selection committee will speak to Dhoni to enquire about his plans as they did before the West Indies tour when the former captain informed that he would be taking a break to serve his regiment in Territorial Army. “Retirement is an individual decision and selectors or for that matter, no one has any right to decide on that front. But they have every right to decide the roadmap for the 2020 World T20 and that's to give Rishabh Pant maximum chances,” the official explained. The reports further stated that the second and third option for the selection committee is Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. While Pant remains the first choice across formats, the selectors are also factoring in the fitness and workload management. The 3-match series kickstarts from September 15 in Dharamsala. The remaining two games will be played at Mohali (September 18) and Bengaluru (September 22). (With Inputs From PTI)