The CSK skipper has been named India's team mentor for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
On Wednesday (September 8), the BCCI announced India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and named Dhoni the team mentor.
Subsequently, former MPCA member Sanjeev Gupta levelled conflict of interest allegations against Dhoni, who is currently associated with the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a captain.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has termed the complaint of conflict of interest against Dhoni as frivolous.
"It is well known now that these frivolous complaints have become a tool for proxy attacks ever since the new rules and regulations came into force. The World Cup is happening post the IPL. At that point all players would be free agents since there would be a reshuffle of players with a big auction coming up with the entry of the new teams. One isn't even sure if MS would continue at the CSK then,” a BCCI official told ANI.
"Moreover, the team has been selected, a mentor has no say in selection and is only going to be guiding the players in the squad. Essentially he is a senior player who isn't actually playing. Going by the perverse logic of the frivolous complaint, the Indian captain Virat Kohli should not even participate in the IPL no?" the official enquired.
Sharing his two cents on this subject, another BCCI official said it was reaching a stage where no former Indian cricketer would be able to serve the country.
"Let me assure you, if this is allowed to continue, this will prove to be the last nail in the coffin of Indian cricket," the official said.
While announcing the squad, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had revealed the thinking behind appointing Dhoni, who led the country to T20 World Cup triumph in 2007.
"As far as Dhoni is concerned, I spoke to him when I was in Dubai," said Shah. "He was okay with the decision, and he agreed to be a mentor for team India, for the T20 World Cup only.
"I spoke to the captain (Virat Kohli) and vice-captain (Rohit Sharma) as well as Ravi Shastri (the head coach), and that’s why we reached the conclusion."
(With ANI inputs)