• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 05/29/2024
• 0 Comments

The race for India’s next men’s cricket head coach is intensifying as Rahul Dravid’s tenure ends following the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Among the many names floated for the position, one of the most popular has been MS Dhoni. However, Dhoni is ineligible to apply for this role. Here’s why.

Eligibility Criteria and Dhoni’s Current Status

To be considered for the head coach position of the Indian cricket team, applicants must be retired from all forms of playing cricket. This stipulation is crucial and straightforward: the coach must focus solely on their coaching duties without the dual commitments of playing.

Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, MS Dhoni continues to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). His ongoing participation in the IPL makes him ineligible to apply for the head coach position under the current Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rules.

MS Dhoni’s enduring presence in the IPL showcases his consistent performance and popularity. In the 2024 IPL season, Dhoni demonstrated impressive form, maintaining a strike rate of over 220 and being dismissed only three times in 11 innings. His active playing status, however, directly conflicts with the BCCI’s eligibility criteria for the head coach role.

While Dhoni cannot be the head coach, his involvement with the team in a different capacity is not unprecedented. During the 2021 T20 World Cup held in the UAE, Dhoni served as a mentor for the Indian team. Despite India’s disappointing performance and crashing out in the group stages, Dhoni’s mentorship role highlighted his potential to contribute off the field.

Speculations About Dhoni’s Future

There is no indication that Dhoni will retire from the IPL after the 2024 season. His continued excellence on the field suggests he could play for several more seasons, further delaying any potential eligibility for the head coach position.

The application process for India’s head coach position concluded on May 27, 2024. The BCCI received over 3,000 applications through a public Google form. However, many fake applications—including names like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sachin Tendulkar—complicate the selection process.

Also read BCCI Receives Over 3000 Applications for Team India Head Coach Role, Many Using Fake Names like Amit Shah and Narendra Modi

Among the legitimate candidates, several prominent names have been discussed. Gautam Gambhir, who recently led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title as a mentor, is considered a strong candidate. Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting have also been mentioned, although their demanding coaching commitments and other factors might influence their availability.

The BCCI has yet to disclose the final list of candidates, and speculation continues about who will succeed Rahul Dravid. With the World Cup approaching, the BCCI will need to decide soon to ensure a smooth transition and adequate preparation time for the new coach.