9 Oct
Mahi has returned to the dressing room in India as a mentor
Former captain MS Dhoni is coming back shortly to Team India’s dugout – this time as a T20 World Cup trainer.
The Indian Express learned that the statement by the BCCI on Dhoni’s participation surprised some of its office carriers, and even selectors came to know just moments before the press conference to unveil the squad for the October-November tournament in the UAE.
Sources have pointed out that India is one of the primary elements behind its choice to record the dreadful white-ball record in ICC competitions under Captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri. Either the team came to the final hurdle or was unable to finish in the Champions Trophy, World T20, and 50 World Cups.
Kohli did not even lead Bangalore, the Royal Challengers, to an IPL title. Dhoni, leading Chennai Super Kings, is the three-time IPL captain who has brought back three big ICC trophies – the World T20, the World Cup, and the Champions Trophy.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said in his media briefing on Wednesday the decision to contact the 40-year-old former international cricketer was taken after seeing Dhoni in Dubai, where IPL teams began to get together to complete the unfinished Covid-hit season 12.
“I was all right with my decision and accepted to be Team India Mentor exclusively for the T20 World Cup. I am happy that MS (Dhoni) has accepted the offer of the BCCI, and he wants to contribute again to the national team. MS will work closely with Ravi Shastri and other support personnel to assist and guide Team India,” added Shah.
Asked that the consultation is with Kohli and Shastri, Shah said, “I spoke with Captain and Vice-Captain Ravi Shastri. All of them are in the same situation; thus, this issue has come to this conclusion.”
The BCCI is confident that Dhoni would help Kohli crack the code. “Nobody can better guide this Indian squad than Dhoni. He has a lot of expertise, and the players are very confident in him.
His participation in the dugout will offer players and staff support. Jay (Shah) felt that Dhoni was the only guy to assist the team throughout the T20 World Cup.
Furthermore, because the tenure of Shastri ends after the T20 World Cup and the BCCI doesn’t want to prolong its contract, the appointment of Dhoni is an ‘ideal stop-gap plan.’
Since the BCCI was unwilling to nominate a new coach shortly before the T20 high-intensity tournament, sources said they went out for the “trustful old hand” that had a “cordial working connection” with the management currently responsible for the team.
While a mentor is the national team’s first time, it’s not the first time the head coach has a company in the top management team. During Dhoni’s time as captain, Shastri served as Team Director for the 2015 World Cup alongside Duncan Fletcher as Head Trainer.
The presence of Dhoni will surely benefit team management in the UAE enormously. Despite tremendous successes in the test arena worldwide, the world title eluded the combo of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri.