‘After A Lot Of Thought’ Sourav Ganguly Finally Shares The Reason To Call ‘Mentor’ MS Dhoni

Sourav Ganguly has finally revealed the reason behind Mahendra Singh Dhoni returning to the Indian cricket team as a mentor ahead of the T20 World Cup 2021 in the United Arab Emirates. 

Ever since the announcement was made by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah a few days ago, fans have been wondering why and how did the Indian cricket board decide to take such an unorthodox approach. 

Captain – Virat Kohli
Vice Captain – Rohit Sharma
Mentor – MS Dhoni

Bring the Cup . that’s It pic.twitter.com/TxuoQ0Jnti

— V I P E R™ (@VIPERoffl) September 8, 2021

Here’s what Ganguly had to say in response:

“It’s just to help the side in the World Cup. He has a good record in the T20 format for India and the Chennai Super Kings. There has been a lot of thought behind it. We discussed a lot and then decided to have him on board. We haven’t won an ICC trophy since 2013,” Ganguly told The Telegraph.

Essentially, Dhoni has been brought onboard simply due to the fact that he has won major trophies for the team on multiple occasions, be it the T20 World Cup, World Cup 2011, Asia Cups, or the Champions Trophy, ‘Captain Cool’ has won them all.

Sourav Ganguly thanks MS Dhoni for accepting BCCI’s proposal to be a mentor of the Indian side for the T20 World Cup

He also feels that MS Dhoni’s experience will help the side a lot #souravganguly #mahendrasinghdhoni #t20worldcup2021 #india #teamindia pic.twitter.com/WZqsU8v645

— Sportskeeda India (@Sportskeeda) September 9, 2021

“Remember Australia had Steve Waugh in a similar role when they drew the Ashes 2-2 in England the last time. The presence of such heavyweights in big-ticket events always helps,” the BCCI chief added.

His last appearance in the Indian uniform ended rather disappointingly when he was unable to live up to his reputation as the finisher, played at an extremely slow pace, and got run out against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. He’d retire from all forms of international cricket in August 2020, in the middle of a global COVID-19 pandemic.

MS Dhoni’s ball by ball innings against Sri Lanka in world cup final. pic.twitter.com/zFSUR2vU9j

— Ketan Sidana (@is_ketan) September 11, 2021

How much of an impact will Dhoni’s presence have on the team as they begin their campaign for the T20 World Cup 2021 in the second half of October, we are yet to see. Maybe having the 40-year old as a member of the coaching staff, and not the Playing Xi might help skipper Virat Kohli utilise his wisdom more effectively.

Dhoni will also be seen in action as the captain of Chennai Super Kings during the second half of the Indian Premier League 2021 which is scheduled to take place in the UAE from September 19, as they take on Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians in the first match.