Dhoni trains with Jharkhand's Ranji team after being dropped from BCCI's contract list

NEW DELHI: Former captain of Indian cricket team MS Dhoni started training with Jharkhand's Ranji squad after being excluded from the Annual Player Contracts for Team India (Senior Men) from October 2019 to September 2020. The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Thursday announced the list.

Dhoni who showed up with a brand new bowling machine during net practice in Ranchi sparked speculation about his participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League.

"We are expecting him to train with the team regularly from now on. His presence can only help the players," a source said, according to media reports.

Dhoni has not played for India since the team’s semi-final exit from the 2019 ICC World Cup.

Dhoni has been on a sabbatical from all forms of cricket since the end of the World Cup in which time Rishabh Pant has been pushed as India’s main man behind the stumps going into the upcoming 2020 T20 World Cup. Sanju Samson has also been consistently part of the squad following impressive performances in matches.

Many senior players had cast doubts on his return to the team.

"Not surprised. I knew this was on the cards because Dhoni did not show any interest in playing matches after the World Cup," Harbhajan Singh had told journalists.

Also Read: MS Dhoni dropped from BCCI central contract list; Virat, Rohit, Jasprit in grade A+

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