"Remember Australia had Steve Waugh in a similar role in 2019 Ashes" - Sourav Ganguly explains thought process behind decision to rope in MS Dhoni for T20 World Cup

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly emphasized that MS Dhoni was roped in as a mentor to provide additional support to Team India for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman.

Ganguly explained that the Australian team benefited from having legendary skipper Steve Waugh in a similar role during the 2019 Ashes in England. Australia drew the series 2-2 and went on to retain the urn.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Sourav Ganguly voiced his opinion on what Dhoni would bring to the table as a mentor:

"It’s just to help the side in the World Cup. He has a good record in the T20 format for India and the Chennai Super Kings. There has been a lot of thought behind it. We discussed a lot and then decided to have him on board. We haven’t won an ICC trophy since 2013. Remember Australia had Steve Waugh in a similar role when they drew the Ashes 2-2 in England the last time. The presence of such heavyweights in big-ticket events always helps."

Team India have not won an ICC title since their triumph at the 2013 Champions Trophy. They have been unable to get past the knockout stages of tournaments in the eight years since.

This would have informed BCCI’s decision to utilize MS Dhoni's vast experience. The hope would be for the former T20 World Cup captain to provide the right guidance to players in pressure situations during the event.

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Sourav Ganguly confirms that BCCI won't take any action against Ravi Shastri

Ever since the Manchester Test was canceled, the English media have been blaming Ravi Shastri for attending the book launch. They feel that the Indian head coach would have contracted the coronavirus at the event. Days after the event, Shastri returned a positive result in his RT-PCR test.

When asked if BCCI will take any action against the head coach for attending a private event, Ganguly replied:

"Nothing. How long can you stay confined to your hotel rooms? Can you stay locked at your home day in and day out? You can’t be restricted to a life where you go from the hotel to the ground and return to the hotel. This is humanly not possible."

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Ganguly went on to add that he himself meets a lot of people.

"I was there at the shoot for a Dadagiri episode today. There were some 100 people there.… All fully vaccinated but you don’t know what will happen. People are contracting the virus even after two doses. This is how life is now."

Ravi Shastri and the other Team India support staff members who are still in England will return to India on Wednesday if they test negative twice in the coming days.