This IPL can't be selection criteria for Dhoni: Nehra

New Delhi: Mahendra Singh Dhoni at this year’s IPL can be a talking point but the tournament cannot be a selection trial for the enigmatic former India captain, reckons former pacer, Ashish Nehra.

Dhoni has retired from Test cricket and has not played for India in the limited-overs format since last year’s World Cup, where India ended semifinalists.

His comeback and retirement have been a matter of intense speculation. His much-awaited comeback is expected to be with Chennai Super Kings at the upcoming IPL, set to be held in the UAE from September 19.

“For me, MS Dhoni’s game never came down,” Nehra said on Star Sports” show ”Cricket Connected”.

“He knows how to run the team, he knows how to push youngsters forward and all these things I don’t need to repeat again and again but I don’t think this IPL makes any difference in MS Dhoni”s stature or his aura as a player,” added the 41-year-old Nehra, who played 17 Tests and 120 ODIs.

“I don’t think a tournament like the IPL should be MS Dhoni”s selection criteria, it”s probably just a talking point,” he added.

Nehra said that Dhoni would remain the first choice of any captain if he is available.

“As far as MS Dhoni”s international career, I don’t think this IPL has anything to do with it. If you’ ‘re a selector, you’ ‘re a captain, you”re a coach and MS Dhoni…if he is ready to play, he will be my number one name on the list,” Nehra said.