Captain Virat Kohli navigated the absence of the veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni from India’s T20I squad on the eve of India’s series opener against the Proteas in Dharamsala.

Dhoni, who has retired from Test cricket but is still available for limited-overs selection, was not selected for this month’s three T20Is. Fellow wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was preferred.

‘Look, experience is always going to matter whether you like it or not. I mean there are a numerous number of times people have given up on sportsmen, and they have proved people wrong, and he has done that many times in his career as well,’ said Kohli.

‘So, one great thing about him is that he thinks for India cricket. And whatever we think, he is on the same page. The alignment is there. The kind of mindset he has had is to groom youngsters and give them opportunities, and he is still the same person.’

Kohli maintained the 38-year-old Dhoni is still in contention for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup despite not being selected for the series against the South Africans. The stalwart former captain averages over 37 after 98 T20Is.

‘When you decide to stop playing is an absolutely individual thing, and no one else should have an opinion on it, that’s what I think. As long as he is available and continues to play, he is going to be very, very valuable,’ added Kohli.

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