Virat Kohli’s Close Connection Suggests MS Dhoni To Coach India Amidst Gautam Gambhir Rumours

New Delhi: Amidst rumours of Gautam Gambhir becoming the next head coach of the Indian national team, Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has recommended ex-India captain MS Dhoni as an ideal candidate. Several names have been doing the rounds to replace Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach after the former captain’s tenure ends after the T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and West Indies. The BCCI has clearly stated that it will not offer an automatic extension.

“First of all, it will be interesting to see which names apply for this post. I would like whoever becomes the coach to be an Indian. If Mahendra Singh Dhoni announces retirement, he can prove to be a good option. He has played a lot of cricket and has won big tournaments,” the Dronacharya Award-winning coach was quoted as saying to CRICIT PREDICTA.

Speculations were rife that Dhoni might have played his final match for Chennai Super Kings in the recently concluded IPL. However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said in a video released by the franchise that he expects Dhoni to return for another season. As there will be a mega auction ahead of the IPL 2025, it is very unlikely that he will be back as a player.

The two-time World Cup-winning Indian captain, in all levels, has huge respect from the Indian players and has been known for his man-management and leadership skills. “Dhoni will have more respect in the dressing room, and he has played this format for a long time,” Sharma added.

“Being able to plan for the team and manage it properly is most needed in the team because, when Dhoni became the captain, there were big players in that team like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Gautam Gambhir, and Yuvraj Singh. Despite this, Dhoni handled the team brilliantly,” he said.

Along with Gambhir, the names of former Australia cricketers Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer have been also doing the rounds. A few days earlier, the BCCI secretary Jay Shah clarified that neither the board nor he himself have approached any former Australian cricketers for the job. The official deadline to apply for the post ended on May 27, and now it remains to be seen who the candidates are who have applied for the high-pressure job amidst the rumours.