BCCI Chief Selector MSK Prasad reveals why MS Dhoni was not included in squad for WI tour

BCCI Chief Selector MSK Prasad on Sunday announced Indian squad for West Indies tour and as per speculations one name was missing from the team - MS Dhoni. Speaking about Dhoni’s absence from the squad, Prasad said that the wicket-keeper batsman was unavailable for the selection.

However, the chief selector also dropped a major hint for Dhoni amid the intense speculations about his retirement. Prasad said that the team management has a plan for the next year’s T-20 International World Cup and more opportunities will be given to Rishabh Pant, also a wicket-keeper batsman.

“He's unavailable for this series but we had certain roadmaps and plans till WC. Subsequently, we've laid down few more plans and thought of giving as many opportunities to Pant and to see he is groomed. This is our plan right now,” Prasad told reporters during a press conference.

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He also defended the allegations of unfair team selection thrown at the board after middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu was ignored for the World Cup. Prasad said that Rayudu was not picked in the team due to certain combinations and this doesn’t mean the selection committee was biased.

Upset after being overlooked for World Cup twice, Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has announced retirement from international cricket. Rayudu was named in the reserves for the Indian cricket team. However, he was not included in the team as replacement despite two players sustaining injuries.

First, Rishabh Pant was named as replacement for injured Shikhar Dhawan and then Mayank Agarwal was called in to replace Vijay Shankar, who was ruled out of the World Cup due to toe injury.

Ironically, Rayudu was not selected in the team India's primary 15-member squad, despite skipper Virat Kohli's open announcement that he will be the first choice for number 4 spot.