MS Dhoni's appointment is good news for India, just praying there is no clash with Ravi Shastri: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar reckons that MS Dhoni’s appointment as a mentor could work wonders for the national team in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. On Wednesday, September 8, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the Indian squad and also put forth the surprise regarding Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in August 2020.

Gavaskar said that having led India to glory in three ICC trophies, Dhoni has the potential to guide the Men in Blue to another multi-nation title. In the meantime, Gavaskar also sounded a tad tensed, hoping for Dhoni and head coach Ravi Shastri to “get on the same wavelength”.

Gavaskar feared that if Dhoni and the team management don’t think on the same lines, their disagreements could end up hampering the team.

Shastri knows that MS Dhoni has very little interest in coaching: Gavaskar

“Under his leadership, India won the 2011 World Cup and four years before that, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup. It’s definitely going to benefit Team India,” Gavaskar said on Aaj Tak.

“At the time, (then-head coach) John Wright was a bit nervous, he probably thought I was going to take his place. But Ravi Shastri knows that MS Dhoni has very little interest in coaching. Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni, if the partnership goes well, India will benefit a great deal from it,” Gavaskar said.

“But if there are disagreements over tactics and team selection, then there might be bit of an effect on the team. But MS Dhoni’s appointment itself will be a big boost for Team India,” he stated.

“MS Dhoni’s appointment is good news for India but I am just praying there is no clash. But if Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni can get on the same wavelength, then it’s big news for India,” Gavaskar added.

In the squad, Ravi Ashwin was also included, but Gavaskar said that it’s tough for the off-spinner to break into the playing XI right away. Among surprises, Yuzvendra Chahal has been left out of the squad.

India are scheduled to start their campaign on October 24 against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.