Following a viral social media exchange after the T20 World Cup, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed his hope that MS Dhoni might one day take up a coaching role. The article explores this possibility, discussing Dhoni's mentorship experience and current commitments, leaving his future as a coach an open question.
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has endorsed his former teammate and captain, MS Dhoni, to take up a coaching role in the future. Gambhir and Dhoni sparked discussion on social media after the latter shared a message on social media saying smiles looked good on the former following India’s T20 World Cup triumph.
Taking to his Instagram story, Dhoni called Gambhir’s intensity‑with‑a‑smile combo a ‘killer combo’ in his congratulatory message after the Men in Blue’s T20 World Cup title defence. In response, Team India head coach replied, ‘And what a reason to smile, great seeing you!’ on Dhoni’s post.
MS Dhoni was in attendance for the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, where he walked out, alongside Rohit Sharma, to place the T20 World Cup trophy ahead of the title clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Related Articles
‘Hopefully, Dhoni Can Smile From the Dugout’
MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir’s exchange on Instagram after the former Team India captain commented on Gambhir’s smile became the most-talked-about on social media following the Men in Blue’s historic T20 World Cup triumph in front of over 86,000 spectators at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Speaking at RevzSports ‘Trailblazers 4.0' event, Gautam Gambhir was asked about the verbal exchange between him and MS Dhoni on Instagram. In response, India's head coach stated that he hopes that one day the roles could be reversed and Dhoni could be in his coaching position, smiling from the dugout.
“Good on him to come and watch the World Cup final. Good on him to ask me to smile, and I wish one day he could be in my position, and I can write the same thing, and hopefully, he can smile from the dugout," Gambhir said.
The exchange between Dhoni and Gambhir was rare as two former Indian teammates seldom interact publicly, making their friendly Instagram banter a talking point after India’s World Cup triumph. The two played a crucial role in Team India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs, making this rare public interaction all the more noteworthy for cricket fans.
Can MS Dhoni Become Team India Coach?
MS Dhoni has not completely retired yet, as he continues to play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL after calling time on his illustrious international career in August 2020. Dhoni has played a role of a mentor role to young players in Team India and Chennai Super Kings, offering guidance and mentorship.
Though Dhoni has no coaching experience, the former India captain served as a mentor for Team India in the T20 World Cup in 2021, where they were eliminated in the group stage. Reportedly, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter didn’t charge a single penny for his role. After retiring from international cricket, Dhoni continues to play IPL, but at the same time, he has continued mentoring young players.
Dhoni’s future as the head coach of Team India is uncertain as the legendary wicketkeeper-batter has not officially announced any plans, but his ongoing mentorship and rapport with players keep the possibility alive. Since MS Dhoni is involved in business ventures, there is no immediate clarity on when—or if—he would take up a full-time coaching role.
It remains to be seen whether MS Dhoni takes up coaching duties once he fully retires from cricket, and it will depend on his priorities and interest in coaching as well as the opportunities presented by the BCCI or franchises like Chennai Super Kings.
