Is this why MS Dhoni is out of the team for remaining two ODIs?

After playing three one-day internationals, former skipper and wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni will be rested for the remaining two ODIs. Team India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said that the veteran batsman will not feature in the playing XI for the fourth and fifth ODI.

“MS Dhoni will not be playing the last two ODIs of the ongoing five-match series against Australia. He is going to take rest after this,” Bangar said in a post-match press conference after India's defeat.

Young batsman Rishabh Pant might be given a chance in the remaining ODIs as the management would want to try him before the upcoming ICC World Cup in May this year. This is India’s last bilateral ODI series before the biggest 50-over tournament starts. India would want to try every possible option in their arsenal ahead of World Cup.

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It is speculated that MS Dhoni will retire after the World Cup in England and if that happens the ODI against Australia was the last chance for Ranchi crowd to see their boy play for India.

Australia defeated India by 32 runs in the third ODI to keep the five-match series alive. India is currently 2-1 up in the series and will look to win the fourth ODI in Mohali on March 10. Virat Kohli scored his 41st ODI century in the match while chasing 314 runs. Usman Khawaja also scored his first ODI century in the match to help his team register a win.