MS Dhoni as a mentor: A short-term tonic or a bigger role awaits?

With the appointment of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the mentor of Team India for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, several questions are arising in the minds of every cricket fan as to why the former India

Is it hard to predict a disagreement sooner or later? Speaking to a news channel, Gavaskar recalled an incident from 2004 when he had joined the Indian cricket team as a consultant, but the then head coach John Wright started worrying about his own role.

Citing this experience, Gavaskar raised his concern that any such disagreement over tactics and team selection may have some effect on the team.

"Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni... if the partnership goes well, India will benefit a great deal from it. But if there are disagreements over tactics and team selection, then there might be a bit of an effect on the team," Gavaskar was quoted as saying.

However, former chief selector MSK Prasad suggested that "Mahi will gel well." As a senior player, earlier with Team India and presently with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the 2011 World Cup winning captain has always been a guiding force for his team members.

Ravi Shastri's contract ends after T20 World Cup. It's possible the board would be looking at Dhoni as a long-term replacement for Shastri. If India can clinch the T20 World Cup and Shastri decides to quit, Dhoni will definitely be a strong contender.

Shastri, who has been the full-time coach since 2017, is unlikely to be given a third term and a new face might be seen. But there's only one hurdle. Dhoni is still the captain of CSK and he might want to continue playing in the IPL.

Conflict of interest

Amid all the "good" news, the BCCI apex council on Thursday reportedly received a complaint against Dhoni's appointment, citing the conflict of interest clause in the Lodha Committee reforms.

According to reports, former Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association life member Sanjeev Gupta has sent a letter to the apex council members saying that Dhoni's appointment is a violation of the conflict of interest clause, under which one person cannot hold two posts.

However, a BCCI official rubbished these claims, saying "a mentor has no say in team selection and one isn't even sure if Dhoni will play for CSK next season".