How MS Dhoni reacted after told of his exclusion from T20Is vs Windies, Australia

Mumbai: Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s omission from the Indian squad to face West Indies and Australia in the respective T20I series have left fans disappointed.

With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 fast approaching, Dhoni has been in a fluctuating form having been criticised for his slow-paced innings during India’s tour to England.

On Sunday, a report in The Indian Express stated that the 37-year-old was ‘dropped’ from the respective squads and not actually rested.

However, chief selector MSK Prasad said he spoke to Dhoni and the latter was ‘most gracious’.

“I myself spoke to MS and I must say he was most gracious. I explained our need to look at a second ’keeper and MS graciously supported the idea,” Prasad said to The Telegraph.

He also revealed the reason behind including both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik for the T20I squads.

We’re looking at a second ’keeper, so Rishabh Pant is there and DK (Dinesh Karthik) hasn’t done badly either.

“Both, therefore, are in the T20I squads which we announced late on Friday,” he added.

India, who are currently engaged in an ODI series against the Windies, will play the three-match T20I series against the same opponents soon after the 50-over series.

That will be followed by the commencement of the long Australia tour, which includes three T20Is, four Tests and three ODIs.