Dhoni makes a comeback in Indian T20 squad

After being dropped from India's T20 squad against West Indies and Australia, former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has made a comeback in the limited-overs team for their upcoming three-match series against New Zealand. The development came as the All-India Senior Selection Committee announced the national squad for ODI and T20 series against Australia and New Zealand.

The omission of the 37-year-old from India's recent T20I series came as a surprise to many and a lot of cricket veterans had criticised the decision as well.

However, Indian captain Virat Kohli, while talking about Dhoni's exclusion, had maintained that wicket-keeper batsman is an "integral" part of the team but in T20 format "someone like Rishabh Pant can get more chances."

Another notable inclusion in India's ODI and T20I squad for New Zealand came in the form of all-rounder Hardik Pandya who missed the first two Tests of the ongoing four-match series against Australia due to an acute lower back injury.

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who missed the Perth Test against Australia due to an abdominal strain, did not get a place in either of the squads.

In an official statement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also informed that after returning from Australia post the Test series, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant will play for India A in the five-match one-day series at home against England Lions.

India are slated to play a five-match ODI series against New Zealand followed by three T20Is from January 23 to February 10. Against Australia, India will play a three-match ODI series from January 12 to 18.

Following are the full Indian ODI squad against Australia and New Zealand:

Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Shami.

Following are the full Indian T20 squad against New Zealand:

Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Khaleel Ahmed.