‘Mentors can’t do much, it’s the players who have to perform’ – Sunil Gavaskar on MS Dhoni’s role during India’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said that MS Dhoni can help Team India work on strategies, but it’s the players, who have to perform on the field of play. Earlier, the 40-year-old Dhoni was appointed as India’s mentor for the T20 World Cup in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The veteran recently came back from  leading Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

Gavaskar was of the opinion that Dhoni, being a mentor, can’t do much from the dressing room and the players have to show their skills in the middle. The veteran said that India’s performance in the World Cup depends on how the cricketers handle pressure in the middle.

It’s the players who have to perform the actual task, says Sunil Gavaskar

“Mentors can’t do much. Yes, he can help you prepare in change room as it’s a fast-paced game and if needed, help you tweak the tactic. May be speak to batters and bowlers during time-out, so the move to employ Dhoni is a good one but Dhoni will be in the change room.

“It’s the players who have to perform the actual task in the middle. How they handle pressure would determine what the result will be,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying to Aaj Tak.

After beating England and Australia in the T20 World Cup warm-ups, India are set to start their campaign in the Super 12s on Sunday, October 24 against Babar Azam’s Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The multi-nation tournament is also Virat Kohli’s last as India’s T20I skipper. Gavaskar said that after the mega event, Kohli will be able to play cricket with a free mind without having to take a lot of responsibilities.

“When you become a captain, you can’t just think about yourself, he has to speak to a batter who is going through a bad patch or discuss strategies with a bowler. Amid all this, one tends to neglect his own form. When you don’t have that pressure, you can focus on your own game. I think it will be good for Virat that after T20 World Cup, he doesn’t have to think about responsibilities,” he added.

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