Team India raring to go at T20 cricket World Cup in Dubai
Former India skipper MS Dhoni has joined the Men in Blue as Virat Kohli, and boys began preparing for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
The official Twitter handle of BCCI shared photos of Dhoni bonding with Team India and captioned the post as: "Extending a very warm welcome to the King. MS Dhoni is back with Team India and in a new role."
India will begin its T20 World Cup campaign on October 24 against Pakistan. Before that, the side will play two warm-up matches against England and Australia on October 18 and 20.
India skipper Virat Kohli on October 16 had said that having MS Dhoni as the mentor for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup will hold his side in good stead.
"Massive experience. He (MS Dhoni) is quite excited about getting back in this environment. He has always been a mentor for all of us; when we were starting our careers at the time he played, and now he has the same opportunity to continue the same again. Especially for the younger guys who are in early stages of their career, the experience that he has gained over the years and having conversations with him about the game," said Kohli during a Captain's Call organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) ahead of the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup.
"Such practical inputs and such intricate details of where the game is going and where we can improve. He makes a difference when he is in a leadership role in any team, absolutely delighted to have him in this environment. He will certainly boost the morale of the team further," he added.
With the Indian team management assessing all-rounder Hardik Pandya's back over the last week, it was decided that he will primarily be a finisher in the World Cup in UAE.
Notably, MS Dhoni is currently with Virat Kohli and boys as the mentor for the team in the World Cup in UAE.
India will open its T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai. After the upcoming T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli will be stepping down as the side's captain in the shortest format.
(ANI)