Dhoni could lead East Zone in Mumbai after all

Mahendra Singh DhoniMahendra Singh Dhoni might have missed the selectors' call when the meeting to pick the East Zone squad was in progress, but the India captain can still play and lead the side in the Inter-Zonal Duleep Trophy. Sources close to Dhoni claimed that the Team India captain would play for East Zone in its opening encounter against West in Mumbai from January 29 to February 1. Dhoni's home association representative in the East Zone selection panel, Jodh Singh said he is most welcome to lead the side even though he was not selected during the meeting in Guwahati on January 10. Dhoni is after all the Team India captain. So obviously if he wishes to play in the Duleep Trophy, he will have to captain the side. He is a great player and is always welcome to join the side, Singh said. A source close to the India captain said he returned to Ranchi today and would give the selectors a call. The East Zone players will have a two-day camp in Cuttack from January 24 and leave for Mumbai on January 27. Dhoni was holidaying at Robin Uthappa's farm house at Nakuru Shirangala village, near Suntikoppa in Coorg. In fact, world billiards champion Pankaj Advani, Robin's father and mother also joined them. The trio spent three days with Uthappa in the hilly terrain of Coorg where you do not get a signal, the source said.