MS Dhoni sparks 'clearly unhealthy' drama within Indian team

Cricket great MS Dhoni will reportedly retire without officially retiring as India continue to hand the gloves over to 21-year-old wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

Dhoni, 38, was widely expected to call time on his international career at the end of the Cricket World Cup.

The Times of India reports the wicketkeeper-batsman has "made himself unavailable" for India's upcoming tour of the West Indies.

But in a twist to the tale, that's not because his career is officially at an end or an indication that he needs more time.

"Going forward, he will not travel with the team within India or overseas as the first-choice wicketkeeper," the Times of India quoted a source as saying.

"Rishabh Pant will take over and there will be a grooming window for him until he settles down.

"During this time, MS will help in the transition. For all you know, he could be part of the 15 (squad) but not part of the XI."

Dhoni's refusal to officially retire comes despite a number of baffling innings at the World Cup.

He came under fire for seeking red ink in the semi-final against New Zealand, letting the required run rate rise and forcing Ravi Jadeja to do the heavy lifting in an unsuccessful chase.

Dhoni was denied the opportunity to see out India's 50 overs when he was surgically run out by Martin Guptill.

According to the Times of India's source, the BCCI doesn't want to force disruption on the team by ending Dhoni's career as a player.

"This team needs a guiding hands on multiple fronts and wishing MS away is clearly unhealthy," the report quoted an unnamed person as saying.

"He's already proved himself to be the kind of guy who preferred 'why' more than 'when where his career graph is concerned. He'll go, but what's the hurry?"

Pant, who became India's Test wicketkeeper last year, was a late replacement into the country's World Cup squad following an injury to Shikhar Dhawan.

He had already been earmarked to take over from Dhoni after the tournament despite being overlooked in the initial squad for 33-year-old wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik.

Dhoni remains contracted to the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.