Dhoni back in squad for NZ T20s

NEW DELHI: MS Dhoni has been recalled to India’s T20 squad for the series against New Zealand in February. Dhoni was left out of two T20 series, against West Indies and in Australia.

Dinesh Karthik is also back in the ODI squad for Australia and New Zealand, replacing young Rishabh Pant. Karthik played in the Asia Cup and Pant was given an opportunity in the home series against the West Indies.

Pant is currently playing the Test series in Australia. “After returning from Australia post the Test series, Rishabh Pant will play for India A in the five-match one-day series at home against England Lions,” BCCI said in a statement.

Manish Pandey was left out of both the ODI and T20 squads. He was in the squad for the home series against West Indies but did not get a chance in the five ODIS.

Kedar Jadhav has made the cut for both ODI and T20 squads while all-rounder Hardik Pandya is back in the mix after recovering from the back injury he sustained during the Asia Cup in September. Pandya has joined the team in Australia ahead of the third Test. Also making a comeback in the short format is fast bowler Umesh Yadav, who has been picked for series against Australia and New Zealand.

ODI squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd Shami.

T20 squad: Virat Kohli(capt), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed.