MS DHONI

The veteran MS Dhoni was a surprise omission from the recently announced Indian team squad for the upcoming T20Is series against South Africa at home, marking the first time, India will play South Africa in the shortest format without him in the playing XI. Dhoni had made himself unavailable for the West Indies tour in order to recuperate from various niggles and injuries while serving the Indian army in Kashmir in a 15-day stint.

The 28-year-old knows that time is ending for him in international cricket and it seems that the BCCI selectors have recognized the same, hence Pant was given priority over Dhoni in the squad. But what Dhoni brings to the table is his vast experience of over 20 years of cricket, which helps the bowlers, something Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have admitted. His DRS reviews are spot on majority of the time and his batting, though not flashy as earlier, is solid enough to anchor the innings in times of need.

If Dhoni can show that his batting still has that explosive power for the T20Is, selectors might give him a chance to go out on a high after winning the 2020 T20 World Cup.