T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli ‘absolutely delighted’ to have MS Dhoni as mentor

Virat Kohli, who eyes his first major ICC trophy as India skipper, ahead of the T20 World Cup said that he is delighted to have his predecessor MS Dhoni as mentor for the tournament. The World Cup starts on Sunday, with Team India scheduled to play their first game against archrivals Pakistan on October 24. 

Former India captain MS Dhoni, who has won all possible ICC events in the leadership role, was announced as the mentor of India’s 15-member T20 World Cup squad by the BCCI. 

Kohli believes that Dhoni’s mere presence aside, his “eye for intricate details” and “practical advice” will help in enhancing the confidence of the squad in the tournament. 

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“He has got massive experience. He is quite excited himself. He has always been a mentor for all of us. Younger guys who are playing their first major tournaments at early stages of career will benefit,” Kohli said during a pre-tournament media interaction organised by the ICC. 

“His eye for intricate details and practical advice will help improve the game by one or two per cent. Absolutely delighted to have him…(His) presence will not only boost morale but also increase confidence that we already have,” he added.

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Under the leadership of Dhoni, a young Indian side won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. MSD has since led the national side to a 50-over World Cup win in 2011, Champions trophy title in 2013 and triumphs in the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups. He recently won his fourth IPL title with the Chennai Super Kings. 

Kohli also admitted that dropping a proven performer like Yuzvendra Chahal was a tough call but the Haryana leg-spinner’s lack of pace off the surface on the slow UAE tracks tilted the scales in favour of the quicker Rahul Chahar.