Are you ready to see Thala in a new role? According to internet reports, it is a possibility, as MS Dhoni has been offered the role of captain of the Indian T20I squad ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
CricBlogger, in one of their reports, has claimed that the BCCI is exploring options for mentorship roles, and the name of MS Dhoni is among them.
“Dhoni is once more offered to guide Indian Cricketers,” the source claimed. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding this from either the BCCI or MS Dhoni’s representatives.
The reasons behind his appointment are speculated to be the young squad. Everyone knows that MS Dhoni is great with young players. In fact, he even won his first ICC trophy with a relatively younger squad in 2007.
Will MS Dhoni become the mentor of the Indian team?
While the rumours are running rampant, experts are speculating on the former captain turning down the role, this time around. And the reasons they give are bizarre.
The most notable aspect is the presence of Gautam Gambhir as the team’s head coach. Well, it’s no secret that MS Dhoni and Gambhir don’t approach the game in the same manner.
Over the years, on several occasions, Gambhir has criticised MS Dhoni’s ideology. Hence, people believe that MS Dhoni won’t be up to work with him.
But the reason behind his turning down the role might have more to do with his previous stint with the team.
When did MS Dhoni mentor India?
MS Dhoni was part of the Indian team’s coaching setup during the 2021 T20 World Cup. Back then, the team was led by Virat Kohli and coached by Ravi Shastri, two individuals with whom he had worked extensively during his playing days.
However, the results of his stint were disastrous. Not only did India lose a game against Pakistan by a margin of 10 wickets, but they also failed to make it out of the group stages.
Should Dhoni take up the role?
Considering that the Indian T20I side has a younger squad, the presence of MS Dhoni as a mentor will be a huge boost. In the absence of Virat, Rohit, and Jadeja, the team will need a guiding figure.
Although Gambhir is doing his best as the coach, it would not hurt to have someone who actually understands youngsters and has a proven track record of bringing out the best in them, from time to time.
If we go by the current Asia Cup side,, which was selected last month, Suryakumar Yadav will be the captain, with Subhman Gill as his deputy.
In the name of experienced players, only Hardik Pandya tops the chart, along with Bumrah. But none of them have proven their mettle in the leadership roles. Hence, bringing someone like MS Dhoni for a Mentorship role won’t be a bad idea either.
With that being said, the decision of appointing him as a mentor hangs in the balance. There are very few chances that MS Dhoni will accept the role. However, if he does, it will be an interesting decision and might pave the way for him into the coaching setup, given that a retirement from the IPL might be around the corner.
