Speculations over MS Dhoni’s future has been doing the rounds ever since India’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to New Zealand in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The wicket-keeper batsman, who played his fourth and final World Cup, was rumoured to call it quits immediately after CWC 2019 but didn’t announce anything as such despite sources from BCCI claiming that he would retire. Reports now suggest that the 38-year-old veteran will not travel to the West Indies with the Indian cricket team. MS Dhoni to Announce Retirement Ahead of India vs West Indies 2019 Series? MSD's Parents Want Him to Retire and Take Care of Family!

As per a report in The Times of India, Dhoni has made himself unavailable for India’s tour to the West Indies, where the men in blue will play three T20s, three ODIs and two Test matches. Dhoni had already retired from Test cricket but has been a vital part of India’s limited-overs set-up. The report also states that he will be part of the transition phase, which will see a new player take his role in the Indian team. ICC T20 World Cup 2020: MS Dhoni to Dinesh Karthik, 5 Indian Players Who May Not Be Part of Team India Squad For Next Edition of Twenty20 World Cup. 

“MS will not go to the West Indies. Going forward, he will not travel with the team within India or overseas as the first-choice wicket-keeper. Rishabh Pant will take over and there will be a grooming window for him until he settles down,” a BCCI official was as quoted as saying by the national daily.

“For all you know, he could be part of the 15 but not part of the 11. This team needs a guiding hand on multiple fronts and wishing MS away is clearly unhealthy,” the source added. Here’s How MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja & Other Cricketers Will Look Like When They Grow Old! View Pics.

Dhoni in recent years has been heavily criticised for his slow scoring rate and sluggish knocks even in important games at CWC 2019. He scored a total of 270 runs from eight innings with two fifties, including one against New Zealand in the semis. But could not guide his team to victory in his final World Cup game.

THE BCCI official also said it will be very unhealthy to completely neglect Dhoni as leave him completely out. “He’s already proved himself to be the kind of guy who preferred ‘why’ more than ‘when’ where his career graph is concerned. He’ll go, but what’s the hurry?” said the top BCCI official.

Selectors will also continue to play Dinesh Karthik, who is senior to Pant, and will fit him into the team as per requirements. But Pant will be groomed as India's next first-choice wicket-keeper.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2019 04:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).