India vs Australia: MS Dhoni to be rested for last two ODIs

India are set to rest veteran wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni for the last two ODIs of the ongoing five-match series at home, batting coach Sanjay Bangar confirmed on Friday. Australia kept their hopes alive after beating the hosts by 32 runs in the third ODI in Ranchi earlier in the day.

"We will have some changes in the last two games. Mahi will not be playing in the last two games. He will be taking rest," Bangar said.

The focus was on MS Dhoni as the superstar of Indian cricket returned home for the third ODI. Dhoni shone with his glovework by coming up with a moment of brilliance to run Glenn Maxwell out during Australia's innings. However, the Ranchi hero failed with the bat, managing just 26 runs off 42 balls in India's unsuccessful chase of 314 at his home ground.

Much to the disappointment of the passionate fans at the JSCA Stadium, Dhoni was cleaned up Adam Zampa after he had stitched a 59-run stand with centurion and captain Virat Kohli for the fourth wicket.

Dhoni had hit a match-winning half-century in the first ODI of the ongoing series which was also his fourth straight fifty against Australia in the 50-over format of the game. He was dismissed for 0 in India's eight-run win the second ODI.

Dhoni was rested for T20I series against West Indies at home last year and against Australia earlier this year. However, he had returned to the senior national team during the ODI series in Australia wherein he smashed three successive half-centuries to help India seal a historic 2-1 win.

Dhoni played only three out of the five ODIs in New Zealand as he was plagued with hamstring issues. However, Dhoni was looking sharp in the ongoing ODI series at home.

Rishabh Pant, who was named in the 15-man squad, is likely to get an opportunity to prove his worth and seal a World Cup ticket in the last two ODIs, which will be played in Mohali and Delhi on March 10 and 13, respectively.

Dhoni will have no international assignments in the lead up to the World Cup. The former captain will be featuring in the 12th edition of Indian Premier League wherein he will lead Chennai Super Kings' title defence.