MS Dhoni, the Captain Cool led a group of youngsters to the title in the inaugural 2007 T20I World Cup. Interestingly, India’s campaign had started with a game against arch-rivals Pakistan. The script wears a slight similarity in the 2021 T20I World Cup staged after 5 years. India will once again open the campaign against Pakistan. Only this time, MS Dhoni is a retired international legend and has been appointed mentor for the tournament by BCCI.
An India-Pakistan game in a cricket World Cup isn’t just about playing to the best of one’s ability, it is also about keeping a calm head and not letting the occasion get to the youngsters present in the team. And this is exactly where MS Dhoni’s presence has helped Virat Kohli’s boys.
MS Dhoni’s Presence Has Seen The Whole Dressing Room Wear A Calm Look
A source in the know of developments in the team management said MS Dhoni’s addition as a mentor for the T20 World Cup has been a huge positive with the former skipper’s room being the go-to place for everyone, be it for serious talks or banter to help relax the mind before the first game of the tournament.
“We start with the game against Pakistan and Dhoni’s presence has seen the whole dressing room wear a calm look. His room is obviously the bonding zone for the players and you can always expect him to come up with the answers to the queries of the youngsters and it hasn’t been any different this time going into the T20 World Cup.”
“This team has some of the most talented players in the country, but the big-match experience is something that can only come with time and there isn’t much of that in this team apart from the likes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Mohammad Shami, and a couple of others. The youngsters need that big brother figure in the team to give them a calming influence when they walk out to the middle,” the source explained.
The Indian players have been training smart for the opening game against Pakistan and even won both their warm-up games — against England and Australia. Having played the IPL in the UAE has seen them adapt well to the conditions on offer.
The 40-year-old MS Dhoni’s new role as a mentor of Team India is limited to the T20I World Cup. MS Dhoni is the most successful captain in white-ball cricket with all 3 ICC titles – 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy- in his cabinet. He’s led IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings to victory in the IPL in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021.
Matthew Hayden: Nothing Matches Rivalry Of India And Pakistan
But the Pakistan team is also familiar with UAE conditions and that is why batting consultant Matthew Hayden on Thursday said that the T20 World Cup clash between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be a ‘dogfight’, and one team would not run away with the game.
Talking about the rivalry between India and Pakistan, Hayden said: “Nothing that I have ever seen through the various elements of our game ever matches the rivalry of India and Pakistan. There is an obvious pressure much like the pressure that’s there when you play against England for Australia. But the pressure is only as much as you allow it to be. Your preparation is there, your experience is there, your opportunity now becomes a history-making opportunity.”
“We can present all the stats, do all our homework and research, but nothing can replace all the stuff that we all dream about, or coach about and commentate on which will be the game itself. I can sense that the players are waiting for that opportunity. I can sense that there is a sense of calm about that. It’s now the opportunity of playing the game,” he added.
India has looked in fine form in the run-up to the tournament, having defeated heavyweights England and Australia in the two warm-up games prior to the group games in the 2021 T20I World Cup against Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia. Their players also have the required match practise under their belts, thanks to the recently concluded IPL 2021.