DLF League

Tuesday 18, November 2008

Dhoni will play for India.

The BCCI and ECB have confirmed that the first Test between England and India in Ahmedabad will begin as scheduled on December 11.

The Indian board had initially proposed that the start be delayed by a day to avoid a potential clash with the final of the inaugural Champions League in Chennai, which - results pending - could feature Chennai Super Kings, the team of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. If this is the case, Dhoni will have to miss the final to fulfil his duties with the national team.

However, according to Lalit Modi, the vice president of the BCCI, there will be no such amendment to the schedule. "No such thing will happen," he told BBC Sport. "We looked at rationalising the schedule but it's not possible." Modi added: "We don't even know if Chennai will be in the final, because the Champions League is yet to start… But whatever happens, Dhoni will definitely play in the first Test, starting as scheduled on December 11."