New Delhi: India skipper MS Dhoni is in doubt for the inconsequential third ODI against Pakistan because of a sore back, sources told CNN-IBN before BCCI confirmed the news in a media release. The match, to be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Sunday, is a dead rubber after Pakistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Dhoni, who has been India's only in-form batsman in the two matches the hosts have lost, is yet to be dismissed in the series having scored 113 not out and 54 not out at Chennai and Kolkata respectively.
Tamil Nadu batsman Dinesh Karthik has been asked to join the team as backup should Dhoni be ruled out from the match on Sunday. In Dhoni's absence, vice captain Virat Kohli will captain the senior India team for the first time.
"MS Dhoni has a sore back on the eve of the third AIRTEL ODI against Pakistan, to be played at Delhi on Sunday, 6 January 2013. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has asked Dinesh Karthik to fly to Delhi as a back-up," BCCI said in its media release.
Pakistan have registered comprehensive wins over India in the first two matches to win their first ODI series in India since 2005. The visitors won the first match by 6 wickets and second by 85 runs.
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