Former Indian captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said that time has come for Indian cricket to "look beyond Mahendra Singh Dhoni" and invest in youth going into next year's World T20 in Australia. However, re has been a raging debate on options available as Rishabh Pant has t been able to grab his opportunities. However, he remains Gavaskar's "top-choice" going into marquee event next year.

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'We need to look beyond'

Asked if Dhoni should be picked for Bangladesh tour, Gavaskar replied in negative.

", we need to look beyond. Mahendra Singh Dhoni at least doesn't figure in my team. If you are talking about T20 World Cup, I will certainly think about Rishabh Pant," Gavaskar told a news channel.

For Gavaskar, if Pant doesn't do well, n Sanju Samson is next best option. "If I need to have an alternate option, n I will think of Sanju Samson because Sanju is a good 'keeper as well as a good batsman. "If I have to think of T20 World Cup, I would think about youth as we need to look forward. Dhoni has made great contribution to Indian cricket but it's w time to look beyond him," iconic opener said.

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Later, on ar news channel, Gavaskar said, "I think he (Dhoni) should be going without being pushed out." Dhoni, who is yet to anunce his international retirement, took a two-month sabbatical from sport after ODI World Cup but current selection committee has already indicated that it doesn't want to look behind. However, Pant's inconsistency and poor shot-selection are hurting team's interest as head coach Ravi Shastri had recently pointed out. Batting coach Vikram Rathour too reminded team's youngsters about difference between a "fearless and careless" approach.

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Gavaskar on Pant's batting order

Gavaskar, on his part, wants to check wher young keeper-batsman is batting at correct number. "What is Rishabh's position in batting order —  4 or 5? Going into World T20 in Australia, we will kw his (batting) position better," Gavaskar said. However, Gavaskar ackwledged that re will be scrutiny since he started his international career on a rousing te. " way he (Pant) started his career in Tests, it was so good and it is obvious that he will be scrutinised. I think whatever is happening is for his good as he can rectify mistakes he is making.

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