Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Exhausted Dhoni opts out of Lanka Test series

Indian ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has opted out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka citing exhaustion caused by non-stop cricket.

Dhoni, who had hinted of his desire to take a break after a hectic Asia Cup in Pakistan, met BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah to convey it officially.

"Dhoni met BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah and expressed his wish to take a break. He wants to opt out of the Test series," BCCI sources told PTI.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been playing non-stop for the past one year that included an 80-day tour of the UK, the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, an ODI series against Australia and a Test and ODI series against Pakistan at home, a more-than-a-two-month long tour Down Under, a Test series against South Africa followed by the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Just days after the 44-day IPL, in which he played the most matches as his team the Chennai Super Kings were the finalists, the Indian captain was back in action in the tri-series against Bangladesh and Pakistan followed by the Asia Cup.

Faced with a hectic schedule at the Asia Cup, which saw India twice play back-to-back matches, Dhoni had sarcastically quipped that the teao react with vice-President Rajiv Shukla saying "any tired player should inform the board".

And taking a cue from the Board vice-President, Dhoni has conveyed that he needs a break to save himself from being burnt-out.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi, DHoni was playing since last two years continously...so he may need rest...