MS Dhoni's Request Accepted; Gets Permission

After MS Dhoni was not selected in team India for the tour to West Indies, wicketkeeper-batsman informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he would be unavailable for two months.

According to ANI reports, Dhoni had announced his unavailability for the Indian team as his request to train with a battalion of the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment for two months has been approved by Army chief General Bipin Rawat. He will not be a part of any active army operations.

Part of his training will take place in Jammu & Kashmir as he is currently posted there. While his battalion has its headquarters in Bengaluru. During the two months training, Dhoni will live like any other soldier in their quarters.

Meanwhile highlighting over the same, chief selector MSK Prasad  told the press in Mumbai,  "He [MS Dhoni] is unavailable for this 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 right now."

Dhoni, who became a qualified para-trooper had to complete five parachute training jumps from Indian Army aircrafts in their Agra training camp. He is currently is an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army of the Parachute Regiment since 2011.