Dhoni was intimated by BCCI brass before finalising central contract list: Sources

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's omission from central contracts list was imminent and he was duly informed before national selection committee finalised names, a top BCCI official told PTI on Thursday. If former skipper makes it to T20 squad sometime this year, he might be re-inducted on a pro-rata basis even though chances of that are remote. 38-year-old double World Cup-winning former India captain's omission from list was t unexpected as he has t played any international cricket for over six months w.

"Let me clarify that one of top-most BCCI office-bearers spoke to MS and told him about how y are going about in central contracts. He was clearly told that since he hasn't played any game in said period (September 2019 till date), he cant be included for time being," official told PTI on conditions of anymity.

Asked who among BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah and CEO Rahul Johri spoke to Dhoni, official refused to divulge. "Let's t get into who spoke. fact is that a player of his stature needs to be told that he is t being awarded a central contract for time being and it was done in an appropriate manner," he said.

However, official said that if Dhoni makes it to World T20 team in Australia (October 2020, after current contracts' duration ends) or even before that, he can be included on a pro-rata basis. "re will be an Asia Cup T20 (likely to be shifted from Pakistan) and if Dhoni plays a certain number of matches, he will be automatically included. It's t like he has been dumped for good. It's just that he doesn't qualify because he has t played," official said. existing rule for awarding central contracts is that a player needs to compete in a minimum of three Tests or eight ODIs to qualify. He can also get in by playing a stipulated number of T20 games (depending on season when re are more T20s).

"Like Washington Sundar has played 21 T20 Internationals and at least more than 10 in current season and with more T20s this year, he got a contract. Similarly, Wriddhiman (Saha) had a group C contract last year when he was injured.

"To get into group B, currently, you need to play three Tests and he fulfilled criteria during home season. Same for Mayank Agarwal. That's how it works," official explained.

"If Prithvi Shaw is selected in Indian team and plays just one more Test, he will get a Grade B contract on pro-rata basis," he added. Asked if Dhoni might anunce ODI retirement after this development, official was evasive. "That is something only Mahendra Singh Dhoni kws and one else," he said. PTI KHS PM PM