Indian skipper Virat Kohli has smashed MS Dhoni’s ODI retirement rumours as he has clarified that Dhoni will play the ODIs regularly. After winning the five-match home ODI series against Windies by 3-1, Kohli has revealed his only big concern in the ODI squad.

After getting snub from the upcoming back-to-back two T20I series, some rumours were spreading on the wicketkeeper-batsman and the former skipper MS Dhoni’s retirement from the international cricket.

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However, after the end of ODI series against Windies, Kohli has clarified that the selectors want to look over the youngster Rishabh Pant and that’s why Dhoni has been rested for the T20I only, while he is totally focused for the upcoming ODIs.

Kohli said, “I think the selector has already explained what happened and I don’t think I need to sit here and explain it more. I wasn’t a part of that conversation but it is not what people are making out of it. I can assure you that he [Dhoni] is still a very integral part of this team and it was only about giving chance to others.

“The selector felt that in T20 format, Rishabh Pant can be given a chance, he [Dhoni] anyway plays ODIs for us regularly. It was about giving a chances to a youngster and it has nothing to do with what people are thinking and I as a captain can certainly assure you that.”

Coming to the recently concluded ODI series against Windies, Kohli has pointed out two positive things that they have gained – Ambati Rayudu as the no.4 batsman and the left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed to add varieties in the pace bowling line-up.

Meanwhile, Kohli has only one big concern in the present Indian ODI squad and that is the inconsistency level in fielding as he feels that some players need to be more consistent on the field.

Kohli said about his main concern, “The only (area of improvement) I can think of is having a consistent effort on the field with energy and intensity, especially in high-scoring game. If we can be consistent as a fielding side, it can give us more consistency overall in our skills department as well. In the field, we can still improve a lot.

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“We have spoken to the people in the practice sessions who need to do the extra effort to sharpen their fielding, and they are putting in that extra effort. That is the only area we feel we can get better at. Obviously, batting and bowling are big variables. Fielding is something that is controllable and you need to get that from all the 11 players in the field. I certainly feel we can improve quite a bit in that department.”