DNA Explainer: Dhoni returns to Team India as T20 World Cup Mentor - Know the difference between coaching and mentoring

India’s most successful captain in limited overs cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is all set to return to the men’s cricket team two years after he retired from the international game. Dhoni will join India’s T20 World Cup squad in the capacity of a mentor.

Fans are now anticipating the return of Captain Cool. The decision that Dhoni will be involved came after BCCI secretary Jay Shah spoke to him in Dubai. The former captain agreed to join the Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli-led team as a mentor.

"Former India Captain @msdhoni to mentor the team for the T20 World Cup" - Honorary Secretary @JayShah #TeamIndia

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2021

In the mission to bring back home a major limited overs trophy for the first time in 8 years, Dhoni among the support staff could prove crucial. While Dhoni will work alongside head coach Ravi Shastri and the other coaches, his role differs from the rest. Here’s the difference.

Mentoring vs Coaching

There are no official designations that state how the role of mentoring differs from coaching. However, the fundamental difference between coaching and mentoring is that while the former focuses on the performance of the team and players, the latter is more to do with capabilities of individual players and as a unit.

The methods could often overlap where team mentors may use coaching techniques and approaches. But a major difference can be noted in the relationship of players with mentors in comparison to coaches.

Coaches help players achieve their targets through techniques, training and guidance. On the other hand, mentors are senior veterans of the game who share their experience with young players to help them expand their ability.  

While coaching is a more formalized trainer-trainee relationship, a mentor-mentee relationship is more like a partnership that involves knowledge sharing.

In cricket, mentors aid the coaching staff by helping young players discover new wisdom about the game and expand their skills. While coaches are figures of authority, mentors are supposed to be friendly figures.

Dhoni’s return

Dhoni led India to three major championships in limited overs format, the 2007 T20 World Cup, the memorable 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. His expert reading of the game and ability to innovate on the field in real-time, will come in handy for Virat Kohli in pressure situations at the T20 World Cup.

Furthermore, Dhoni’s famous knack for hand-holding spinners into picking crucial wickets and bowling dominant spells will benefit India in the United Arab Emirates. Pitches in the UAE offer terrific conditions for the ball to turn. This has been on the minds of Indian selectors who picked five spin bowlers in the T20 World Cup squad.

Furthermore, Dhoni was the first captain for several of the younger stars in the Indian cricket team. Most of the players share a great rapport with the internationally retired wicket-keeper batsman.

Finally, it was Dhoni as captain when India last achieved success at the highest stage with the white ball. While Kohli’s team might be performing admirably in Test cricket, they have been falling short in limited overs tournaments. Team Mentor Dhoni might emerge as the missing piece in the puzzle.