Published: Jan 29, 2017, 11:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 29, 2017, 11:33 PM (IST)
Kolkata: Former India skipper MS Dhoni is likely to bolster Jharkhand’s Twenty20 campaign by playing for his state side in their last East Zone league round match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy here on Feburary 5, team sources said. “The T20I series against England will get over on February 1 [in Bangalore] and on his way back [to Ranchi] he’s likely to join the team here,” a team official said after Jharkhand lost their opening round encounter against Assam by 4 wickets at Eden Gardens here on Sunday. Jharkhand take on hosts Bengal in a high voltage East Zone league match and the team source added that a final confirmation on Dhoni’s availability would be known only after February 1. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs England 2nd T20I at Nagpur
When he gets time, Dhoni, the most successful Indian skipper, joins his state team as ‘mentor’. The last time he was seen cheering Saurabh Tiwary and Co was ahead of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Gujarat in Nagpur earlier this month. Jharkhand will play their next match against Odisha on January 31, followed by game against Tripura the next day.
After stepping down as captain from the Indian side, Dhoni is playing solely as a wicketkeeper. Virat Kohli has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading India in all formats. Kohli tok over the Test captaincy when Dhoni had retired from the longest format in the beginning of 2015. Kohli since taking over as India’s permanent Test captain has tasted great success, winning series in Sri Lanka, West Indies. He also led India to home series wins against New Zealand and England.
