MS Dhoni likely to join Jharkhand for Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy

Kolkata, Jan 29: Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is likely to bolster Jharkhand's Twenty20 campaign by playing for his state side in their last East Zone league round match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy here on Feburary 5, team sources said.

India-Eng series schedule, results

"The T20I series against England will get over on February 1 (in Bangalore) and on his way back (to Ranchi) he's likely to join the team here," a team official said after Jharkhand lost their opening round encounter against Assam by four wickets at Eden Gardens here on Sunday (Jan 29).

Jharkhand take on hosts Bengal in a high voltage East Zone league match and the team source added that a final confirmation on Dhoni's availability would be known only after February 1. When he gets time, Dhoni, the most successful Indian skipper, joins his state team as 'mentor'.

The last time he was seen cheering Saurabh Tiwary and Co was ahead of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Gujarat in Nagpur earlier this month.

Jharkhand will play their next match against Odisha on January 31, followed by game against Tripura the next day.

PTI