MS Dhoni will not don captain’s hat while playing for Jharkhand in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Ranchi: India's ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been selected in the 15-member Jharkhand squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy to be played in Bengaluru from December 10 to 18.

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Varun Aaron will lead the team, Jharkhand State Cricket Asscociation's secretary Rajesh Verma said in a press release on Monday.

Dhoni last played for Jharkhand in the 2007 East Zone leg of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Championship in Kolkata after the Indian team made an inglorious exit from the group stage of the 2007 World Cup.

Earlier, Verma said the star cricketer himself expressed desire to play for the state team. "We have spoken to Dhoni and he has said that in all likelihood he will be available (if there's no Pakistan series) to play for Jharkhand in Vijay Hazare Trophy. We have not discussed as to how many matches he will play or whether he would like to lead the side. But if he wants obviously, he will lead the side," Verma said.

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"His presence obviously will be a great boost for the boys. Whenever Dhoni has got an opportunity, he has had encouraging words for the boys. Only day before I saw him training at the main stadium alone. Right now the senior team is in Tripura for Ranji Trophy," Verma said.

Jharkhand squad: MS Dhoni, Sumit Kumar, Ishank Jaggi, Sourav Tiwary, Anand Singh, Kumar Deobrat, Kaushal Singh, Varun Aaron (captain), Rahul Shukla, Shabaz Nadeem, Sonu Singh, Monu Kumar, S P Goutam, Ankit Dabas and Jaskaran Singh. 

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