POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Kolkata, January 21

He may have relinquished the limited-overs captaincy but MS Dhoni is still playing a proactive role in the team affairs as he performed the leadership role today, including inspecting the pitch, ahead of the third ODI against England tomorrow.

India went in for an optional practice today and Dhoni was seen performing the role of a skipper — inspecting the pitch, taking local feedback and giving teammates a pep talk — with captain Virat Kohli deciding to skip the training session and head coach Anil Kumble not around.

After the practice session that lasted for about two hours, Dhoni headed to the pitch that looked as flat as it could be without any tinge of grass. He went down on knees to have a close look at the strip and felt the surface with his palms. Later, Dhoni had a lengthy discussion with the national selector and former Bengal captain Devang Gandhi. In the second ODI, Dhoni played a proactive role behind the stumps, especially in the death overs, as he was engaged in field placing and giving inputs to Kohli during England’s chase.

Hailing Dhoni’s new-found role, seamer Bhuvenshwar Kumar said: “A wicketkeeper is always the second person after the captain to assess the match condition and give inputs. He (Dhoni) watches everything closely. He gives feedback on how a batsman is playing. With skipper Kohli around, it’s always easy for Dhoni to communicate his ideas. It’s very useful when your wicketkeeper plays a proactive role.”

Apart from Kohli, the ones to skip the match-eve optional practice session included Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuvraj Singh, Lokesh Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya. Batting coach Sanjay Bangar oversaw the practice session.

Shikhar in nets

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan, who had an injury scare yesterday, was seen at the nets without any sign of discomfort. “He’s perfectly fine,” said a team official, making it clear that Dhawan is available for selection.

However, it remains to be seen whether the team think-tank persists with Dhawan who has been out of form with scores of one and 11 in the last two ODIs. Ajinkya Rahane, who may come in the playing XI if Dhawan is to be replaced, had a full intensity practice session.

Bairstow replaces Hales in T20I squad

Kolkata: England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow has replaced the injured Alex Hales in the squad for the three T20Is to be played against India from January 26. Hales fractured his right hand while attempting a catch during the second ODI in Cuttack on Thursday, ruling himself out of the third ODI as well as the T20I series. — Agencies