Given that the upcoming limited-overs series against Australia will be India’s last international assignment before the World Cup, it was expected that MS Dhoni will take part in all the matches.

However, it is learnt that the veteran wicketkeeper batsman will be rested for the two-match T20I series. Apparently, the Men in Blue are still looking for the backup wicketkeeper for the World Cup 2019 and they are likely to try many permutations-combinations in this series.

As per a report in Mumbai Mirror, Dhoni may well be rested to give more playing time to Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik.

Nonetheless, Dhoni will be available for the entire five-match ODI series as the team management and the selection committee are keen to field the same squad that will be travelling to England and Wales for the World Cup.

Australia’s tour of India will kick-start in Bengaluru with the first Twenty20 International on February 24 while Vizag will host the second shortest format game on February 27. Subsequently, the five ODIs will be staged in Hyderabad, Nagpur, Ranchi, Mohali and Delhi on March 2, March 5, March 8, March 10 and March 13 respectively.