The surprising selections and omissions should dominate the headlines on Wednesday as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was due to announce the Indian roster for the T20 World Cup, which kicks off in the UAE on October 17th. However, when Secretary Jay Shah announced that MS Dhoni would join the team as a mentor for the World Cup, the appointment of the former Indian captain was in the spotlight.
Jay Shah said MS showed Dhoni Great interest in contributing to the Indian team when he approached the former skipper with the proposal. The BCCI secretary said he was glad Dhoni agreed to come on board as a mentor for a mission that is crucial for Virat Kohli and his side in the United Arab Emirates.
India Today believes Jay Shah had thought about capitalizing on MS Dhoni’s experience two months prior to the announcement. Shah had a virtual interaction with Dhoni and offered him the opportunity to work with the Indian team as a mentor in the UAE.
Dhoni agreed to the proposal after gaining clarity on the role in the T20 World Cup.
Jay Shah then approached Captain Virat Kohli and Vice-Captain Rohit Sharma, who approved the proposal.
The BCCI secretary then spoke to India’s head coach Ravi Shastri, for whom the T20 World Championship will be the last task. Shah told the former captain of India that MS Dhoni would travel as a mentor and take on a similar role with equal responsibility.
Shastri welcomed the idea and said he would be happy if Dhoni stepped in as a mentor and the team benefited from the appointment.
Shah then took it to the BCCI and discussed with his colleagues before the board made the appointment official on Wednesday.
MS Dhoni’s experience of winning 3 ICC trophies including the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup will come in handy as India prepares for a highly competitive edition of the T20 World Cup. Dhoni had a good relationship with head coach Shastri and captain Virat Kohli. In the locker room, he has respect for several young stars who were picked up on Wednesday and looked up to the former captain.
With Ravi Shastri’s successful tenure as head coach ending after the T20 World Cup, India will be on the lookout for a new head coach. While Dhoni may not take on the role of coach in the near future, the BCCI could secure the services of Dhoni in similar mentoring roles for large events.
India will host the World Cup in 2023. Virat Kohlli’s men will also be at the T20 World Cup next year, which will be held in Australia from October to November.
MS Dhoni retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020. However, he continues to represent the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Dhoni arrived in the UAE last month and has been training with some of his CSK teammates for the IPL to resume.
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