Former Indian captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said that time has come for Indian cricket to "look beyond Mahendra Singh Dhoni" and invest in youth going into next year's World T20 in Australia. However, there has been a raging debate on the options available as Rishabh Pant has not been able to grab his opportunities. However, he remains Gavaskar's "top-choice" going into the marquee event next year.

WATCH | MS Dhoni returns to Ranchi, gets huge reception from the fans

'We need to look beyond'

Asked if Dhoni should be picked for the Bangladesh tour, Gavaskar replied in the negative.

"No, we need to look beyond. Mahendra Singh Dhoni at least doesn't figure in my team. If you are talking about the T20 World Cup, I will certainly think about Rishabh Pant," Gavaskar told a news channel.

For Gavaskar, if Pant doesn't do well, then Sanju Samson is the next best option. "If I need to have an alternate option, then I will think of Sanju Samson because Sanju is a good 'keeper as well as a good batsman. "If I have to think of the T20 World Cup, I would think about youth as we need to look forward. Dhoni has made great contribution to Indian cricket but it's now time to look beyond him," the iconic opener said.

READ | Ravi Shastri gets nostalgic, pays tribute to Yuvraj Singh's six sixes

Later, on another news channel, Gavaskar said, "I think he (Dhoni) should be going without being pushed out." Dhoni, who is yet to announce his international retirement, took a two-month sabbatical from the sport after the ODI World Cup but the current selection committee has already indicated that it doesn't want to look behind. However, Pant's inconsistency and poor shot-selection are hurting the team's interest as head coach Ravi Shastri had recently pointed out. Batting coach Vikram Rathour too reminded the team's youngsters about the difference between a "fearless and careless" approach.

READ | Jonty Rhodes takes his pick between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith

Gavaskar on Pant's batting order

Gavaskar, on his part, wants to check whether the young keeper-batsman is batting at the correct number. "What is Rishabh's position in the batting order — No 4 or 5? Going into the World T20 in Australia, we will know his (batting) position better," Gavaskar said. However, Gavaskar acknowledged that there will be scrutiny since he started his international career on a rousing note. "The way he (Pant) started his career in Tests, it was so good and it is obvious that he will be scrutinised. I think whatever is happening is for his good as he can rectify the mistakes he is making.

READ: Yuvraj Singh shares childhood pic on 12th anniversary of 'six sixes'