Dhoni has given us time to prepare WT20 team: India selector

New Delhi : Moments after the Indian selectors announced the T20 squad for the South Africa series, pundits started questioning whether M.S. Dhoni has been ignored and the writing was on the wall for India's most decorated captain.

Quashing all rumours, a national selector has revealed that the wicket-keeper has actually given the five wise men time to build the team with an eye on the 2020 World T20 in Australia and has promised to take a call on his career only once Team India's future was in safe hands and the selectors convinced that they have the required bench strength in the keeping department.

Speaking to IANS, the national selector said that it was indeed surprising to see how the former skipper's position is debated every other day and it was time that all rumours were put to rest because Dhoni being the team player that he is, will never come out and answer the detractors.

"There is no question of ignoring him. On the contrary, he has given us time to go ahead and plan the future keeping an eye on the World T20 next year.

He realises that the team comes before public opinion and considering the fact that we still don't have a genuine replacement if Rishabh Pant gets injured in the shorter format, Dhoni has agreed to hold on.

"At present, there is no question of ignoring him. Also, just prior to the West Indies tour, he took a two-month sabbatical, " he pointed.