Reports: MS Dhoni expected to make his return in January 2020; likely to play T20 World Cup

MS Dhoni was spotted in India’s dressing room post the team’s win over South Africa in Ranchi Test on Tuesday. It was the first time he was seen with the team since the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. The speculation over his retirement has been rife since then and the veteran’s silence has added fuel to the fire. Dhoni though is unperturbed with all the noise and has started training at the gym in the JSCA international stadium.

Moreover, he is also likely to train with the Jharkhand U23 team in the days to come. They will be having a camp for the national One-Day tournament starting on October 31 and MS Dhoni is most likely to join them. It has also been reported that the former India skipper was thinking to train with the senior Jharkhand but they will be soon leaving for Surat to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy.

“He spoke to a support staff of the senior Jharkhand team but as they would be leaving for Surat to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20s starting on November 8, he is likely to practise with under-23 boys at the stadium,” a source close to the developments was quoted as saying by New Indian Express.

MS Dhoni likely to play Sri Lanka T20Is

The T20I team for the Bangladesh series is likely to be picked on Thursday. MS Dhoni is most likely to skip this series as well while he will not play the West Indies series too. He is expected to return to international cricket in January 2020 against Sri Lanka which is not a surety as well. But then if he misses Sri Lanka series, then he will surely return for the New Zealand tour if the reports are to be believed.

The source also confirmed that the 38-year-old is preparing for the T20 World Cup next year in Australia and will also play in the IPL next year.

“He (MS Dhoni) might start playing competitive cricket from January which means he will not be a part of the Jharkhand team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He is preparing himself for the World T20 scheduled in Australia from October 18 to November 15. He might prefer the shortest format in days to come and will definitely play for Chennai Super Kings in IPL next year,” the source further added.

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