"MS Dhoni's strength is immeasurable," says Stephen Fleming as captain of the former Indian team at the 2019 World Cup

MS Dhoni, ruled out of the Twenty20 International (T20I) teams for the Windies and Australia series, has hinted at speculation about his future with the cricket fraternity. However, Stephen Fleming, coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) led by the MS Dhoni in the Indian Premier League (IPL), recently backed the former Indian skipper for the 2019 World Cup. The former skipper New Zealander Fleming was of the opinion that Dhoni's strength is immeasurable and he (Dhoni) is eager to play on the big stage.

"I think India has enough options within its team to include Dhoni because his strength is immeasurable." Looking at the last IPL, his shot was as good as she did. "Was," Fleming told Gulf News.

"He needs the confidence to go play this way at One Day Internationals and I think he's looking forward to seeing the big stage," added the 45-year-old.

The selection committee led by MSK Prasad said Dhoni, the World T20's winning skipper in 2007, was "rested" and that India was now looking to fill the second box office.

But when asked if Dhoni's career in the T20 was over, MSK Prasad said, "Not yet."

"We want to try other goalkeepers for the second goalkeeper's slot," Prasad said.

However, as the group of 50 has not yet been announced for the Down Under series, it remains to be seen whether Dhoni will be on the touring side.

A veteran of 93 T20I, Dhoni has 1487 runs in the format at a strike rate of 127.09. The only remaining T20I in the next six months is a three-game series against New Zealand, scheduled for February.