MS Dhoni says it is not proper to select Test or ODI team based on IPL performance

India’s skipper in ODIs and T20Is, MS Dhoni said that even though IPL was a tournament that allowed youngsters to showcase their talent, choosing players for the Test and ODI side based on their performances in the lucrative T20 league “wouldn’t be right”, Times of India reports.

Mumbai Indians youngsters Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya recently earned a call-up to the national side following outstanding campaigns in the previous edition of the IPL. Their impressive performances against Australia in the recently concluded T20 series where Dhoni’s men whitewashed the hosts 3-0 had led to suggestions that the IPL was the gateway for getting selected for Men in Blue.

However, Dhoni said that while the IPL was definitely a stage to discover talent, being selected for the longer formats of the game needed good backing up with performances in domestic competitions.

"I have always said IPL is a platform where you found out the talent. After that, you follow them in the domestic circuit and see how well they are performing. In IPL, you can get away with a lot of things. But to select proper Test or 50-over cricketers on IPL performance, I don't think would be right," said Dhoni at a media conference here ahead of India's opening T20 International against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Dhoni excited to play in Pune

Dhoni with a Golden Retriever he had befriended during one of his previous visits to Pune

Continuing with the theme of the IPL, Dhoni, who will be leading one of the two new franchises, the Rising Pune Supergiants in the next edition of the IPL, described the Maharashtra Cricket Association's International Stadium at Gahunje in Pune as a ‘special ground’ for more reasons than one.

Dhoni, who is known for his love of dogs, said that he was looking forward to returning to the ground where he has developed a strong bond with two dozen security dogs that are housed inside the stadium.

"It has been a special ground. I am fond of dogs and there are a lot of dogs at this ground," said the 34-year-old.

Dhoni, who is an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, has other reasons to love Pune. The Indian skipper is excited by the chance to see some fighter planes during his time in the city, which is the headquarters of Indian Army's Southern Command and also has an Indian Air Force base station.

"And when you come here you also have the opportunity to see fighter planes. There is more to do here than playing cricket. These are good attractions. The crowd also supports you well," he said.

Talking about his expectations of how the T20 match between India and Sri Lanka scheduled to be held on Tuesday would pan out, Dhoni hinted that the contest could be a high-scoring affair.

"The wicket here is a bit more settled now. It's not a very big ground, it's a decent-sized ground and the straight boundaries are not very long. Though it's a bit away from the city, the crowds come in big numbers and are also very supportive."