Couldn’t ask for anything better, MS Dhoni’s presence at T20 World Cup will be huge: Ravi Shastri

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced its squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Wednesday (8 September). Rather than the 15-member personnel, MS Dhoni grabbed headlines as he was named the mentor of the team during the marquee event. This announcement made by BCCI was a googly in itself for fans and critics.

The former India captain announced his international retirement in 2020 and only plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Coincidentally the IPL, as well as the T20 World Cup, will be played in UAE, and Dhoni’s tactical acumen will be vital for the Indian team, who seek to finally end the trophy drought that saw them lift an ICC Cup way back in 2013.

The CSK captain comes with a vast experience of winning ICC Trophies and remains the only captain to win all three ICC events. Incumbent team India head coach Ravi Shastri is delighted to have Dhoni onboard as the mentor and feels the team can hugely benefit by having his presence during the T20 World Cup.

“The team couldn’t have asked for anything better. The BCCI has thought this out extremely well and put the plans in place. Having MS Dhoni in the dressing-room and the dugout will be a huge shot in the arm for the boys. It’s a great move,” Shastri told the Times of India on Thursday.

Few experts and critics have already labeled this move by BCCI as a win-win situation and feel Dhoni’s calming influence will go well with Virat Kohli’s fiery attitude.

“It’ll be a combination of fire and ice on the field, and off it. You have a coach in Ravi Shastri who doesn’t give an inch. Now you’ll have a mentor who’s a stark opposite and is known to be extremely calm. On the field, you have a captain who loves to be aggressive in his approach, and then you have a vice-captain who tends to be more introspective. These combinations will be great,” sources said.

Sunil Gavaskar thrilled to see MS Dhoni on board during the T20 World Cup

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels there could be some difference of opinion between Shastri and Dhoni, but also felt delighted in seeing the former India captain as a mentor during the global event.

“We all know what experience he brings to the table. What more can the team ask for? When I first heard from the secretary, I was absolutely thrilled at the idea. In the end, it’s about India’s aspirations, not individuals. In that, we should look to put our best foot forward,” he said.