Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar welcomed the appointment of MS Dhoni as the mentor of Team India for the 2021 T20 World Cup. He said it's big news for the team, but he also hopes there won't be any differences between Dhoni and head coach Ravi Shastri regarding the tactics.
Gavaskar feels if Dhoni and Shastri stay on the same page it can do wonders for the Indian cricket team in the mega ICC event. "Under his leadership, India won the 2011 World Cup, and four years before that, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup. It's definitely going to benefit Team India," said Gavaskar on Aaj Tak.
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The 72-year-old recalled his role with Team India as a consultant in 2004 when John Wright, the then head coach, was a bit worried about his position.
"At the time, (then-head coach) John Wright was a bit nervous, he probably thought I was going to take his place. But Ravi Shastri knows that MS Dhoni has very little interest in coaching. Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni, if the partnership goes well, India will benefit a great deal from it," he said.
"But if there are disagreements over tactics and team selection, then there might be bit of an effect on the team. But MS Dhoni's appointment itself will be a big boost for Team India. He has so much experience, he knows everything. There was no bigger, destructive player than MS Dhoni when he was active in international cricket," he further added.
Gavaskar knows the experience of Dhoni will come in handy for the team in the T20 World Cup. "MS Dhoni's appointment is good news for India but I am just praying there is no clash. But if Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni can get on the same wavelength, then it's big news for India."
Dhoni and Shastri have worked together in the past as well when the latter was appointed as the team director.
Gavaskar also spoke on the inclusion of R Ashwin into the T20 World Cup squad. The off-spinner last played a white-ball format match for India in 2017 and he hasn't featured in the limited-overs squad since then.
"Ashwin's return is good news. But whether or not he will find a place in the XI, that's something we have to wait and watch. Picking him in the 15 is good, even in the England Test squad he was picked as part of the 15, but he is not playing in the XI. He has been given a consolation. To make up for the disappointment of England Tests, they probably might have given him the spot. We have to wait and see if he plays in the XI," he said.
(With Sports Tak Inputs)
