Fans have accepted that MS Dhoni may not play T20I cricket for India ever again after the former India skipper was dropped from the T20I squads for the three-match series at home against West Indies and against Australia next month.
While Dhoni is dropped, Indian skipper Virat Kohli is rested for the three-match T20 series against Windies but he will be back for the T20 series against Australia, starting on November 21 at the Gabba in Brisbane.
But it's not the end of Dhoni yet. The selection committee head MSK Prasad, when asked if Dhoni's career in T20s is over, said, "Not yet. We want to try out other keepers for the second keeper's slot."
Rishabh Pant will play as a specialist wicket-keeper for India in T20Is in both the series. Dinesh Karthik is also part of both the squads.
Dhoni had a good Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018, but he couldn't continue the same form with the bat in international cricket.
After the decision to leave out Dhoni from the shortest format, here is how Twitterati reacted to it:
Dhoni’s absence from T20 teams v West Indies and Australia sends clear message that selectors have been informed about where his focus is and when he wants his international career to end https://t.co/vTBq8fXmAt
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 26, 2018
Not picking Dhoni in the T20 squad is the right decision. But why say he is rested? Why does he need rest?
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) October 26, 2018
Even the Indian T20i team for #AusvInd announced. 17 members. Big NEWS is that Dhoni is NOT in that team too. Might not see Dhoni in India colours for the T20 format again... #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 26, 2018
It isn't such a bad thing. Dhoni's favourite genre had always been the ODI and he will continue there till 2019 post which I expect him to take a call on his future. I am pretty certain he would have been part of this decision
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2018
My only concern with Dhoni is that he isn't getting, or maybe isn't too keen to get, game time between ODI matches. But he will have the Australia/NZ and home ODIs + the IPL before the World Cup.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2018
so we learn of dhoni's removal from T20 squad and rohit sharma's recall to Test squad after 10:30pm on friday night...good stuff!
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) October 26, 2018
So no Dhoni in the #T20I team for the 3 matches vs Windies. Oh no... Who will they all blame now if there is a power cut in their home ? ???????? #INDvWI.
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) October 26, 2018
On a serious note, good to see Rishabh Pant take it over. Would love to see him in full flow. #Dhoni
Amid the Dhoni decision, it's great to see another Jharkhand player finally getting his due. Shahbaz Nadeem has been knocking on the doors for a few years now.
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) October 26, 2018
MS Dhoni's T20 career is over and Rohit Sharma and Parthiv Patel's Test career might still be alive.
— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) October 26, 2018
Dhoni was born on 7th day of 7th month. His Jersey number is 7. He won the Khel Ratna Award (highest sporting honour) and ICC World Twenty20 in 2007. He reached his career peak in 2011, and 7 years later, he is probably dropped for the first time.
— Rahul Raj (@bhak_sala) October 26, 2018
On a day when you get the first whiff of an inescapable reality in Indian cricket. #dhoni pic.twitter.com/UEJcBreVvd
— Meha Bhardwaj (@Bhardwajmeha) October 26, 2018
End of Dhoni's T20I career. Four spinners! https://t.co/jxzisRY3yI
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) October 26, 2018
