India "moving on" from MS Dhoni as Rishabh Pant is given vote of confidence

Chairman of selectors MSK Prasad is adamant the 38-year-old is yesterday's news after he was omitted from the T20 squad to face Bangladesh next month

MS Dhoni's India career looks increasingly likely to have reached its climax following comments made by chairman of selectors MSK Prasad regarding his future.

The 38-year-old has not represented his country since the World Cup semi-final defeat by eventual runners-up New Zealand.

He opting out of the West Indies tour to join-up with the Indian army and was subsequently left out of the T20s against South Africa.

An omission from the 20-over squad for the visit of Bangladesh next month has sparked more speculation over his international ambitions, which remain unknown.

Rishabh Pant has kept wicket in his absence and the India selectors are ready to back the youngster for the long term.

"I made it very clear post the World Cup that we are moving on," Prasad said at a press conference following the squad announcement. 

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"We are giving opportunities to youngsters and see that they establish themselves in the side. 

"With Rishabh Pant doing so well and even Sanju Samson coming into the side [as back-up wicketkeeper], I am sure you must be understanding our thought process."

Dhoni's long-term intentions remain a mystery. Having yet to confirm his international retirement he is unable to participate in any overseas T20 franchise leagues and has shown no willingness to return to white-ball domestic cricket.

"That is purely his personal call," Prasad said. "Going into domestic cricket, getting his touch back, or thoughts about retirement, everything is purely his personal (decision). We've already laid the roadmap for the future, I'm sure you can see in the way we are selecting the teams."

Pant has failed to cement his status as the No.1 keeper with a series of inadequate displays with the bat in the white-ball matches since the World Cup, while he has also been replaced behind the stumps in the Test format.

^{Rishabh Pant has struggled with the bat since the World Cup}

He failed to get past 20 in the three-match ODI series with South Africa and has made one half-century in five T20 innings against the West Indies and The Proteas.

"Post World Cup I've been very, very clear on this, that after the World Cup we started backing Rishabh Pant and we will still back him and see that he progresses well," added Prasad.

"Of course, he might not have had the best of the matches that we expected of him, but still we can only make a player by backing somebody. 

"We are very, very confident that he will come out successful and this is our clear thought process that post World Cup we are focusing on Rishabh Pant only."