IND vs BAN | Moving on from MS Dhoni, will continue to back youngsters, says MSK Prasad

Announcing the squad for the upcoming T20 and Test series, chief selector MSK Prasad was pretty clear about India’s plan after the World Cup exit and in build-up to the T20 World Cup next year. The selection of Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson ahead of veteran MS Dhoni is clearly evident in BCCI’s strategy to groom youngsters for the future. 

Talking about Dhoni’s future, Prasad’s answer was in sync with that of new BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who also feels that the decision must be left to the veteran keeper. Prasad, however, made it clear that the team is looking to move forward from Dhoni and will be handing ample chances to youngsters to prove themselves.

"We are moving on and will continue to back the youngsters. Going into domestic cricket, getting his touch back or thoughts about retirement, everything is purely his personal ," Prasad said in the press conference, reported TOI. "We've already laid the roadmap for the future, I'm sure you can see in the way we are selecting the teams."

Dhoni hasn’t made an appearance for the Men in Blue since India crashed out of the World Cup, taking an extended break to train with the Indian Army. He then made himself unavailable for selection for the home series against South Africa. Now the selection of young Samson as back-up keeper to Pant has sparked a question if Dhoni had made himself available for selection or not. 

"Post World Cup we have been clear. We started backing (Rishabh) Pant and wanted to see him do well. He may not have had the best of matches but we are clear, we are focusing on him only," Prasad said.