MS Dhoni can't pick & choose series: Gautam Gambhir

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has chosen to criticise MS Dhoni for "picking and choosing series" and advocated in favour of selectors speaking to him about his future plans. "He shouldn’t be picking and choosing series," Gambhir told media persons on the sidelines of a promotional event in Delhi today. 

"Selectors should speak to Dhoni," says Gambhir

Currently, Dhoni has taken a four-month sabbatical from cricket after returning from ICC World Cup cricket in England & Wales in June, making himself unavailable for West Indies, South Africa and Bangladesh series. Gambhir was also of the opinion that Dhoni should be "spoken to" by the selectors regarding his retirement plans. "Selectors should speak to him about his future plans," he observed. There have been speculations and rumour about his possible retirement in the recent past but Dhoni has put them on rest with selectors also making it clear that he still continues to be in the scheme of things while Dhoni's wife called all such developments as "rumours". The cricketer-turned-politician defended Rahul Dravid on the issue of conflict of interest and deposition before BCCI's ethics officer. "He is the best that Indian cricket has and should be left alone. I am shocked that people are still questioning Dravid,' he noted. 

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Should Pant replace Dhoni?

When asked about Rishabh Pant replacing Dhoni, Gambhir said: "If Pant is out of form, captain and management's role is to talk and advise him. Criticism for him is uncalled for. There is a need to give freedom to Pant." On Rohit Sharma's new position in Test cricket, the former opening batsman said he was only suitable for opening position in Test. "No other position possibly suits him in Test. If you have decided to play him then opening is the only slot."

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