The question of whether MS Dhoni could become the next Indian cricket coach has been widely discussed among fans and experts. Dhoni, India’s World Cup–winning captain, continues to enjoy huge respect for his calm leadership and sharp cricketing mind. But is he really in line for the coaching role?
At present, the answer is no , Gautam Gambhir has already been appointed as India’s head coach from July 2024. Dhoni, meanwhile, is still an active player for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. According to BCCI rules, any active player cannot be considered for the national coach’s position. A coach must be completely retired from professional cricket. This rule automatically makes Dhoni ineligible for now.
Still, the speculation refuses to die down. Some well-known voices in cricket have suggested Dhoni would make a great coach once he hangs up his boots entirely. Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, even said Dhoni would be an ideal choice because of his vast experience and success record.
However, others believe Dhoni himself may not be interested. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has argued that coaching the Indian team requires year-round commitment and can be more tiring than playing. Dhoni, who has always valued a balanced lifestyle, might prefer to stay away from such a demanding role after retirement.
Fans, meanwhile, keep pushing the conversation. Social media is full of jokes, fake applications, and debates around Dhoni’s name being linked with the job. The emotion reflects how deeply people still connect with their former captain.
For now, the facts are clear: Gautam Gambhir is India’s head coach, and Dhoni remains ineligible. Unless he retires fully and expresses interest, the position is not open to him.
Dhoni’s leadership qualities will always keep him in the conversation, but whether he chooses the path of coaching is something only he can decide. Until then, the idea of Dhoni as India’s next coach remains more of a dream than a reality.
