Former India cricketer feels MS Dhoni is not for coaching, says ‘he does not have…’

New Delhi: MS Dhoni’s future remains uncertain following his participation in IPL 2025. He has consistently stated that his continued involvement in the IPL depends on his physical fitness. Given his age (he will be 44, nearing 45, by the next season), rigorous training presents increasing challenges. While a return to the Chennai Super Kings in 2026 is possible, his role – whether as a player or in another capacity – is yet to be determined.

While many fans hope to see MS Dhoni in a coaching role for either Chennai Super Kings or the Indian cricket team, he lacks formal coaching experience. His role as mentor for the Indian team during the 2021 T20 World Cup was distinct from coaching. Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan suggests that while a coaching position is unlikely, a future mentoring role remains a possibility.

“I think he is fit for a mentor, but for coaching, Dhoni does not have patience. Because you know if he becomes a coach, then his lifestyle will keep looping the same way, like touring with the team and all that. Why would he want all that?” he said on the Bails and Banter show on OTTPlay.

Coaching a national cricket team, while lacking the physical exertion of playing, demands significant commitment, including extensive travel. This arduous schedule contributed to Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid’s decisions not to renew their contracts, citing the strain on their personal lives. Gautam Gambhir’s current contract extends to the 2027 World Cup, with future employment contingent upon performance. However, a source, referencing MS Dhoni’s perspective, anticipates that neither Dhoni nor Gambhir will have a successor in the foreseeable future.

“No, coaching is for people who are control-fixed, like Gautam Gambhir, because he needs importance but mentoring is like ‘come, have a sit, let’s eat together,’ and some players actually approach you. So you don’t have to be the mentor, but there is mentoring going on around the whole universe of cricket. People who are close to you will approach you and take advice, whether you are a mentor or not,” he pointed out.

Following Chennai Super Kings’ disappointing tenth-place finish in the IPL, MS Dhoni has returned to Ranchi. Reports suggest he is fulfilling a prior commitment to enjoy leisure activities, including motorcycle rides. Dhoni has approximately four months to determine his cricketing future, with CSK supporters expressing their hope for his continued involvement until the team achieves a sixth IPL championship.

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