MS Dhoni's exclusion from the T20 squad against West Indies and Australia has raised many eyebrows where most the questions of many of fans have been, why? The latest to react on this matter was Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.
"I don’t know what’s the mindset of the selectors is & I haven’t looked to influence anyone by giving opinions as what happens in dressing room & between captain, coach & selectors should stay within them," Tendulkar told ANI.
The BCCI and selectors had announced the squads of the T20Is against West Indies and the Test and T20I squad for Australia. Dhoni was missing from both of the T20 squads.
Chief-selector MSK Prasad had given a logical reason on dropping the former captain from the squads. He said that Dhoni has been 'rested' and are looking to fill the second wicketkeeper's slot.
On being asked if Dhoni's T20 career is over, Prasad reacted,"Not yet. We want to try out other keepers for the second keeper's slot".
Two wicketkeepers - Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik, have been selected in the squads for the T20Is and Tests as well.
With Dhoni playing only seven T20Is this year and India's next ODI assignment only in January against Australia, the former captain won't be getting any domestic matches with both Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy already over.
After India clinched the 5-match ODI series 3-1, captain Virat Kohli spoke on the matter and revealed that the 37-year old was still an integral part of the team and it was he himself who made the decision to not play in the upcoming matches.
"I think the selectors have already addressed this if I'm not wrong. And he's been spoken to, firstly... So, I don't see any reason why I should be sitting here and explaining that. I think the selectors have come out and explained exactly what happened," said Kohli at the post-match press conference after guiding India to another series win at home.
"I was not part of that conversation so... It is what the selectors explained. I think people are putting too much variables into the situation, which is not the case I can assure you of that. He's still a very integral part of this team and he just feels that in the T20 format, someone like Rishabh can get more chances."
Dhoni has been dropped for the upcoming T20 series against the West Indies and Australia and there is a possibility that he never plays for India again in the shortest format.
"He anyway plays the ODIs for us regularly, so... From that point of view, he's only trying to help the youngsters; nothing that anything that other people are thinking and I as captain can certainly assure you of that," Kohli said.
The 37-year-old, despite being a sharp planner and a safe and agile hand behind the stumps, has been struggling to finish matches with the bat, something that came naturally to him at his peak and made him a modern legend.
The former captain has come under heavy scrutiny for his performances in recent times and Dhoni will next been seen next year for the ODIs against Australia, if the selectors place him in the squad.
