Will MS Dhoni Be Ignored For T20Is Against South Africa?

MS Dhoni, who took a two-month break from cricket after the World Cup 2019, is likely to be ignored for the upcoming Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against South Africa.

Dhoni, has never been open about his international retirement but seems like he is unlikely to be selected for T20 home series against South Africa that will start from September 15 in Dharamsala.

While the other two remaining games will be played at Mohali on September 18 and Bengaluru on September 22.

As per News 18 report, the team for the series will be selected on September 4. Also, the members who played for West Indies 3-0 is likely to be retained.

Meanwhile, a senior Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official told PTI that "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."

"They are planning on getting a pool of three keepers ready for limited overs, especially T20s. 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 further added.

Reports say that, it is not clear whether the BCCI or the selection committee will speak to Dhoni about his plans. But, Chief Selector MSK Prasad had recently supported Dhoni by calling him India's best finisher in limited overs format but had also backed Pant to succeed.