Can MS Dhoni become India's next head coach? Aakash Chopra answers

It's been only a year since Gautam Gambhir took over as India's all-format head coach. The former cricketer replaced Rahul Dravid in the position, who exited after India lifted the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. While the Men in Blue have scripted a successful run in white-ball cricket under Gambhir's watch, lifting the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, the team has suffered a disappointing fate in Test cricket. With Gambhir in charge, India has lost 8 out of 15 Tests, managing a draw in two. While the newly-minted Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, pulled a 2-2 series draw in the India vs England Test series, Gambhir's future in the head coaching position hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the discussion of whether MS Dhoni can claim the position.

Aakash Chopra reacts to the prospect of MS Dhoni becoming India's Head Coach

MS Dhoni scripted the golden period of Indian cricket as captain. However, the World Cup-winning captain has remained largely out of the setup since he announced his international retirement in 2020. While Dhoni joined the Indian team as a mentor during the 2021 T20 World Cup, the former skipper departed into the shadows after the series.

Now, MS Dhoni remains active in the IPL as he continues to play for Chennai Super Kings after handing the team captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2024. Meanwhile, as contention grows around the future of Gautam Gambhir as the Indian head coach, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra talked about Dhoni being in the running to claim the position in the future.

The former Indian opener spoke against the chances of MS Dhoni becoming India's head coach. Chopra highlighted the toll of taking on the position. The ex-Indian opener explained that being the head coach means dedicating as much time to the team as one did as a player, sometimes even more. Meanwhile, a player like Dhoni, who has experienced playing for India, might not want to claim such responsibility again in his career.

"That is a big one. I don't think he is interested. Coaching is a difficult job. Coaching keeps you as busy as you were when playing, and sometimes even more than that. You have a family, and you've lived your life out of a suitcase. You don't want to do that job now," Chopra explained.

"You have a family, and you say that you have done the same thing your entire life, you have lived your life out of a suitcase, and you don't want to do that job now. That is why a lot of players don't get into coaching, and even if they do, it's a two-month IPL stint. However, if you become a full-time Indian head coach, it's a commitment of 10 months a year," he explained further.