BCCI wants MS Dhoni as Team India’s mentor for 2026 T20 World Cup: Reports
The Men in Blue are gearing up to kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign as T20Is take center stage. The Asia Cup will be played in the shorter format this time, serving as the prelude to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. India will take on the next World Cup edition as the defending champions after the 2024 title victory ended over a decade-long wait for an ICC trophy. While the Asia Cup remains the focus right now, the BCCI has started planning for the 2026 T20 World Cup ahead. Meanwhile, the latest reports have suggested that BCCI's plans for the marquee tournament include MS Dhoni.
BCCI has offered the role of Team India's mentor to MS Dhoni for 2026 T20 World Cup
MS Dhoni is regarded as one of the most successful captains of India. Under Dhoni's leadership, India lifted the 2007 ICC T20 Trophy, winning the ICC tournament in its inaugural edition. The wicketkeeper-batter followed the T20I victory with the historic win at the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup. Playing at home, the Men in Blue beat Sri Lanka in the final to claim India's first World Cup title since the 1983 win. Moreover, Dhoni also led India to the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy win, dominating ICC tournaments with his team.
In his tenure, both in international cricket and the IPL, Dhoni's sharp tactics and on-field presence of mind defined his legacy. The former World Cup-winning captain is often termed as one of the most tactically sound cricketers in the world for his ability to turn the game around through unique bowling rotations and field placements. MS Dhoni called time on his international career in 2020, announcing his retirement on Independence Day.
Since his retirement, Dhoni has remained active in the IPL. The seasoned wicketkeeper-batter has led Chennai Super Kings to five trophies, making the team the joint-most successful franchise in the league. However, Dhoni handed the captaincy of CSK to Ruturaj Gaikwad after winning IPL 2023. While the former leader returned to his usual leading spot in IPL 2025 when Gaikwad fractured his elbow, Dhoni now plays solely as CSK's wicketkeeper.
At 43, Dhoni was the oldest player in IPL 2025. Whether the champion will return for the next season is still unclear. Battling knee issues, Dhoni's chances of playing in IPL 2026 depend entirely on his fitness, as clarified by the former captain himself. Meanwhile, as the fans discuss his future in the T20 league, the BCCI has something crucial in mind for its World Cup-winning captain.
If the latest reports are to be believed, the BCCI is keen on bringing in Dhoni as the mentor of the India national cricket team for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Indian cricket board wants the ex-skipper to guide the team in their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign. If Dhoni accepts the role, it would be his second stint as mentor. The former champion assisted the Men in Blue at the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. However, the team struggled in the marquee tournament, failing to qualify for the semi-finals after a 10-wicket defeat against Pakistan.
The 2021 T20 World Cup marked Dhoni's first and only role with Team India after his retirement. However, despite the earlier setback, the BCCI is keen on bringing MS Dhoni back into the mix. The board reportedly values the calmness and tactical depth that Dhoni could instill in the team. Suryakumar Yadav is set to captain India in T20Is, while Gautam Gambhir is now the head coach. While it is still not clear whether Dhoni is interested in taking the role, the former captain's inclusion will be interesting to watch with Gambhir coaching the team this time.
Dhoni and Gambhir scripted the perfect partnership in the 2011 ODI World Cup final, leading India to the historic win. However, there have been consistent speculations of a rift between the former stars. Gambhir has often spoken up against the 'superstar' culture, perceived as a dig at the former captain. Moreover, the Indian head coach also called for the credits of the 2011 World Cup win to be shared fairly instead of just putting Dhoni on a pedestal. Dhoni has never opined on the matter. As for Gambhir, other than the 'credit' debate, the head coach has also praised Dhoni's leadership and tactical acumen on many occasions.
