MSD set for domestic return after 8 years

After a gap of eight years, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is set to turn out for Jharkhand in their Vijay Hazare Trophy Group B clash against Jammu and Kashmir, at the Alur (2) grounds on the city outskirts on Thursday.

India ODI skipper Dhoni last played for his home state Jharkhand in April 2007 in the league stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 encounter against Tripura scoring an unbeaten 73 (33b, 3x4, 7x6).

Having made the knockout stage from Group C of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, the 34-year-old Dhoni’s return will certainly bolster their chances in the limited overs domestic tournament this season. Dhoni will play under Varun Aaron in the tournament.

For Dhoni, the six league matches to be played at various venues across the city will be an ideal preparation ahead of the limited-overs tour to Australia, the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka, Asia Cup T20 followed by ICC World T20 at home.

Aaron will lead the bowling attack while left-arm orthodox Shahbaz Nadeem will be the key spinner for Jharkhand. On paper, Jharkhand towers over their rivals and boast of a quality attack in.

Meanwhile, following a dismal Ranji Trophy season, Parvez Rasool’s men will be tested on a surface that is likely to be batting friendly.

J&K will be banking heavily on all-rounder Rasool. It will be a learning experience for J&K’s young batsmen Ian Dev, Shubham Khajuria, Bandeep Singh and the experienced Mithun Manhas.

Defending champs Karnataka face Railways in their first round.

Kohli Opts out; Ishant, Dhawan TO play for Delhi

Test captain Virat Kohli has decided to take rest while teammates Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma will be playing for Delhi against Baroda in their opening group league match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Delhi.

Delhi’s chief coach Vijay Dahiya confirmed that both Shikhar and Ishant are available for the Baroda game.

“Virat is not playing in this game. We had already kept a stand-bye (Vaibhav Rawal). Shikhar and Ishant trained with the other boys this morning and are available for this game. We do not have any fitness issues either,” Dahiya said, ahead of their match against the Pathan brothers.