A surprising moment off the field has brought two Indian cricket legends into the spotlight again, this time for all the right reasons.
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir recently made headlines when he openly backed MS Dhoni as a future coach of the Indian men’s team. Speaking at an event on March 16, Gambhir reacted to Dhoni’s social media message after India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where Dhoni had lightheartedly said that smiles looked good on him (Gambhir).
Gautam Gambhir appreciated the gesture and shared a heartfelt thought. He said it would be great if one day their roles were reversed, where Dhoni guides the team as the head coach and he gets the chance to congratulate him, watching him smile in the dugout.
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This public exchange has caught fans’ attention because the two haven’t always been seen as close. In the past, Gautam Gambhir had often questioned MS Dhoni’s popularity during his time as a cricket expert before becoming head coach in 2024. That’s why this moment of mutual respect feels refreshing for many followers of the game.
Interestingly, neither Gambhir nor Dhoni had coaching experience before stepping into such roles. Gambhir took over as India’s head coach in 2024, while Dhoni’s only official stint with the national team was as a mentor during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, where India didn’t progress beyond the group stage. However, many believe Dhoni could take up a bigger coaching or mentoring role in the future, possibly starting with Chennai Super Kings after retiring as a player.
For now, Gautam Gambhir’s position looks secure. He is the only Indian coach to have won two ICC trophies and is expected to continue at least until the 2027 ODI World Cup, if he chooses to. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni is still active on the field and is set to play in the IPL 2026, with Chennai Super Kings starting their campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30.
What once seemed like rivalry has now turned into respect and admiration and maybe, a hint of what the future could look like.
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