MS Dhoni: IPL no yardstick to select players for Tests, ODIs

Dhoni will lead newly formed IPL franchise Rising Pune Super Giants in IPL's ninth edition.

Pune: India's limited overs captain captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday said that IPL cannot be the yardstick to pick players for the hard grind of international cricket, particularly Tests and the 50-over format.

Dhoni felt the lucrative Indian Premier League can be, at best, termed a good place to spot emerging talent.

"I have always said IPL is a platform where you found out the talent. After that you follow them in domestic circuit and see how well they are performing. In IPL you can get away with a lot of things. But to select proper Test or 50-over cricketers on IPL performance, I don't think would be right," said Dhoni at a media conference here ahead of India's opening T20 International against Sri Lanka tomorrow.

Dhoni, who will be leading the newly formed IPL franchise team Rising Pune Super Giants in the T20 league's ninth edition in April-May, also spoke about the Maharashtra Cricket Association's International Stadium at Gahunje here, which will be the team's home venue in the tournament.

"The wicket here is a bit more settled now. It's not a very big ground, it's a decent-sized ground and the straight boundaries are not very long. Though it's a bit away from the city, the crowds come in big numbers and are also very supportive."

Dhoni said he has other reasons to like Pune as a venue. "It has been a special ground. I am fond of dogs and there are a lot of dogs at this ground," said the 2011 World Cup-winning captain, referring to the two dozen dogs of different breed that are housed inside the stadium structure.

Dhoni, who is an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, said he also liked to visit the city which is the headquarters of Indian Army's Southern Command and also has an Indian Air Force base station.

"And when you come here you also have the opportunity to see fighter planes. There is more to do here than playing cricket. These are good attractions. The crowd also supports you well," he said.