The buzz around India's coaching setup has not slowed down since Gautam Gambhir took charge as head coach. Now, speculation is building over whether MS Dhoni will step in as mentor for the men's team ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup which India will co-host with Sri Lanka.
The thought of two 2011 World Cup winners uniting in the dugout has naturally caught the imagination of fans but questions remain about whether the former skipper is ready for such a role.
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BCCI's reported push to bring MS Dhoni on board
According to multiple reports, the BCCI is keen to rope in Dhoni as team mentor for the upcoming T20 World Cup. If confirmed, it would be his second stint after briefly taking up the role during the 2021 edition when Virat Kohli was captain and Ravi Shastri the coach.
Dhoni's record makes him an obvious candidate. He is the only captain to win all three major ICC trophies and has added five IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings to his name.
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His calm presence and ability to guide younger players are seen as qualities that could complement Gambhir's style.
Former India batter Manoj Tiwary added his voice to the conversation, suggesting that the real hurdle may not be BCCI's intent but Dhoni’s willingness. Speaking to ANI, Tiwary quipped:
"Did he even pick up the phone? It's tough to get through to him because he rarely answers calls or even replies to messages."
He went on to say that if Dhoni accepts, his value to the team would be immense - especially with younger cricketers who look up to him.
Will MS Dhoni join India's coaching staff?
While the board's interest seems clear, Dhoni himself has not given any indication. Known for keeping a low profile off the field, he may not be eager to return to a high-pressure role.
Until he makes his decision, the possibility of a Gambhir-Dhoni coaching bench remains just that - a possibility.