Ravi Shastri speaks on MS Dhoni's future at the team

Indian national cricket team coach Ravi Shastri has revealed he is concerned about Mahendra Singh Dhoni's fitness ahead of T20 World Cup. Dhoni has missed international cricket games since India's semi-final defeat at World Cup 2019. He also missed the series against South Africa and Bangladesh. Recently the 38-year-old was noticed training in Ranchi in the lead up to the ongoing series against West Indies, that added the talks concerning his comeback. However, the cricket player told the reporters he wouldn't be on action until January 2020. When speaking about Dhoni's recent form, Shastri told India Today during its programme "Inspiration": "It's sensible (the break by Dhoni). I like the time (around IPL) when he will be starting to play again. I don't think he is too keen on the one-day stuff. He is finished with Test cricket. T20 is an option. It's a format that is tailor-made for him. But will his body be able to cope with the demands, only he will answer. The rest would have done him a world of good, mentally. That mental fatigue would have gone away by now. If he decides to play, which he will because he will play the IPL, then he will start training with a very fresh mind. Then you have got to see form." In the case of Dhoni's absence, the Indian coach believes Kannur Lokesh Rahul could be an option for the team. "It is an absolute option. You got to see where your strength is. Tomorrow, there could be a couple of guys in the middle-order who are firing with unbelievable innings in the IPL. And then if you have a guy who can multi-task, who could be used at the top, because there's some firepower at the back who are doing extremely well, then why not," Shastri added.

Source: NDTV Sports / India Today

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