As the BCCI searches for India’s new men’s cricket head coach, many fans are hoping for MS Dhoni to take the position. However, Dhoni is not eligible because the BCCI requires candidates to be retired from all forms of cricket. Although Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, he still plays in the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings. This ongoing participation disqualifies him from becoming the head coach, even though he remains a beloved figure in Indian cricket.
Dhoni’s Role with Team India and Future Prospects
Despite his ineligibility to become the head coach, Dhoni’s involvement with Team India is not completely ruled out. He has previously mentored the team during the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE, although the team did not advance past the group stages. There is also no indication that Dhoni plans to retire from the IPL after the 2024 season, especially given his current good form. This year, he played exceptionally well, maintaining a strike rate of over 220 and getting out only three times in 11 innings.
The Search for India’s Next Head Coach
The BCCI closed applications for the head coach position on Monday, after receiving over 3,000 submissions through a public Google form. Unfortunately, many of these were fake, including joke applications in the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Despite the prank applications, the search continues for serious candidates. Gautam Gambhir, fresh off a successful stint as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders, is one of the rumored names, along with Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting.
Awaiting the BCCI’s Final Decision
As the cricket world waits for the BCCI to announce the final list of candidates, speculation continues about who will take over as head coach. With notable names in the mix, fans and analysts alike are eager to see who will lead Team India forward after Rahul Dravid steps down post the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. The announcement is highly anticipated, with the future of Indian cricket at stake.
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