After six months of back-breaking cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has indicated that he wants to opt out of the five-match One-Day series against New Zealand later this month. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to advocate the rule of recuperation-leave for its senior players, the national selectors — who meet to pick the ODI squad on Saturday — aren’t quite as keen.Speaking to reporters on the eve of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Nagpur, Dhoni said that a break from the game has been long overdue.
“Since the Sri Lanka series, it has been really hectic... I haven’t had time to switch off and switch on... We will see if there are other senior players available for the series,” Dhoni said. BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said, “BCCI has always welcomed players request and if Dhoni wants to take a break then I don’t see any reason why we can’t allow him. This is applicable to not only Dhoni, but to all players. They are free to approach us,” Shetty told The Indian Express.
A senior selector who declined to be identified, however, said it would be impossible to put together a squad without Dhoni for the ODIs. “The request hasn’t reached us yet, but it will be tough to give Dhoni a break,” said the selector. “At best, he can skip the last three games, but Dhoni will have to be present for at least the opening two games.”The last time Dhoni got a break was in May-June 2010, when senior players were rested for the tour to Zimbabwe.
“Since the Sri Lanka series, it has been really hectic... I haven’t had time to switch off and switch on... We will see if there are other senior players available for the series,” Dhoni said. BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said, “BCCI has always welcomed players request and if Dhoni wants to take a break then I don’t see any reason why we can’t allow him. This is applicable to not only Dhoni, but to all players. They are free to approach us,” Shetty told The Indian Express.
A senior selector who declined to be identified, however, said it would be impossible to put together a squad without Dhoni for the ODIs. “The request hasn’t reached us yet, but it will be tough to give Dhoni a break,” said the selector. “At best, he can skip the last three games, but Dhoni will have to be present for at least the opening two games.”The last time Dhoni got a break was in May-June 2010, when senior players were rested for the tour to Zimbabwe.
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