On last year’s independence day, Ms Dhoni surprised all by announcing that he would retire from all international cricket.
A little more than a year later, returning to the Indian team folding as a ‘mentor’ for the T20 World Cup in the UAE was both surprising.
Secretary of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) Jay Shah said on Wednesday after the announcement of the Indian team that he had held a meeting with Dhoni and former Indian captain had been taken to the T20 ICC.
The meeting that took place in Dubai about 10 days ago lasted about 90 minutes and Tii understood that Dhoni did not say “yes” soon.
According to sources close to developments, Captain Chennai Super Kings was initially rather reluctant to take a role.
“It was a request that he could not say no, but he took the time before giving his nod,” said a source.
When the offer was made, captain of Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri clearly consulted.
But that feeling is Dhoni himself must have discussed with Kohli before giving his approval.
“In the initial proposal, the term ‘mentor’ is not mentioned.
It was more than the role of advisor for the team.
But it was a Dhoni equation with Virat who proved to be presentation,” the source added.
Virat and Dhoni worked brilliantly together after Cricketer Jharkhand descended from Captain Overs India in 2017.
The view of the Wicketkeeper Dhoni arranged the field, even when Kohli chose to approach extraordinary boundaries to utilize the incredible throw of arms, becoming common in T20IS and ODIS in 2018-19.
“Kohli always appreciates Dhoni’s assessment and it must be one of the reasons behind his decision to do guidance,” the source added.
It is true that both of them are strong personalities, but Shastri is towards the end of the FAG from his term as a coach: his contract until the T20 World Cup, and it is unlikely that he will enter the confrontation with the Indian cricket legend.
So what did Dhoni brought to the table as a ‘mentor’? “This is the intelligence of T20 Dhoni.
Because of its IPL’s commitment, it is very aware of the occurrence in the world of T20,” the source added.