MS Dhoni would help Team India in smooth transition: Reports
What's the story
As per media reports, veteran Indian wicket-keeper batsman and former skipper MS Dhoni will not be a part of the team which would tour West Indies.
Dhoni has made himself unavailable for this particular tour.
Instead, he would help India in smooth transition.
There was a lot of talk about Dhoni's future after India's premature exit from the ICC World Cup 2019.
Here's more.
Focus
Dhoni won't travel, Pant will get chance to prove himself
According to a report in The Times of India, Dhoni won't travel with the team for the upcoming tour.
Instead, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, who is considered as Dhoni's successor, will don the big gloves.
Dhoni is unlikely to be available for quite sometime now. However, he will return to groom Pant and help India in their transition phase.
Plan
How is the board planning the transition?
Sources told TOI, going forward Dhoni will not travel with the side as the number one wicket-keeper.
He will be in the squad, but not in the starting XI.
Pant will be getting the chances and Dhoni will utilize the time in grooming the youngster.
This has been identified as the best possible way to get the most out of Dhoni.
Information
Dhoni wants to be available for the team
At the moment, Dhoni is not in a hurry to bid adieu to the game. Everyone feels that when to retire should be his decision. This also helps Pant in a massive way. He needs someone like Dhoni to be that guiding light.
Pant
Pant is being groomed with World T20 in mind
Pant has already made a mark in the longest format of cricket. However, he hasn't be able to replicate his form in white-ball cricket at the international level.
He came in at number four for India in CWC 19 after Vijay Shankar got injured.
With the World T20 next year, the management wants Pant to get ready.
This will be the transition period.
Our take
Dhoni's presence crucial for India: Our take
There is a possibility that Dhoni will be present for India till next year.
This will be good for both the team as well as Pant.
So we might see Dhoni staying with the side and sharing his valuable knowledge.
He is a respected figure in that dressing room and altogether it looks like a superb decision by the management.