India rest MS Dhoni for last two ODIs vs Australia

Indian team management has decided to rest former India captain MS Dhoni for the rest of the ODI series against Australia. Team India’s assistant coach Sanjay Bangar made this announcement in the post-match presentation. So far no replacement has been made for Dhoni in the India National Cricket Team squad and Rishabh Pant will handle the wicket-keeping duties.

MS Dhoni will be taking a break: Bangar

In the press conference, Sanjay Bangar stated that there will certainly be some changes in the team XI because Mahi (Dhoni) is not going to play the final two matches. He is taking rest.

When the 'Lion' walks out to bat in his den ??#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/WKRKGpKgaB

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2019

Indian skipper Virat Kohli too admitted that India will be making a few changes in the next two ODIs. He said in the presentation ceremony that they will have a few changes in the next couple of games and they will have to figure out what those changes are.

He noted that they will have a few new faces and they’ll be given chances, and they have to make the most of the chances because there’s a World Cup coming in and everyone wants to be on that flight as well.

MUST WATCH: When @imjadeja’s rocket arm meets @msdhoni’s guile

??https://t.co/5bgXFAb3MF #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/M2dbN1Mk9k

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2019

Pant to handle wicket-keeping duties

In the absence of MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant will be India’s designed wicket-keeper. The youngster is one of the contenders for the spot of back-up wicket-keeper for the World Cup and these two remaining games will offer him an audition.

Dhoni faced a few hamstring issues in the recent games and was also rested for a few games against New Zealand. With the World Cup approaching the team management would want the former India skipper to be fully fit as he will also be playing the IPL in the upcoming days.

Also read: Nathan Coulter-Nile flies home, to miss remaining IND ODIs

India’s squad for the remaining two ODIs

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja