India men’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has openly backed legendary former captain MS Dhoni as someone who could potentially take up the national coaching role in the future. Speaking during a RevSportz event on March 16, Gambhir reflected on Dhoni’s social media message after India’s triumph in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Following India’s title win, Dhoni had congratulated Gambhir and humorously remarked that a smile looked good on him. The comment quickly went viral among cricket fans, given the long-standing speculation around the dynamic between the two World Cup-winning cricketers.
Responding to the message, Gambhir said he appreciated Dhoni attending the World Cup final and hoped that one day their roles might be reversed.
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“Good on him to come and watch the World Cup final. Good on him to ask me to smile, and I wish one day he could be in my position, and I can write the same thing, and hopefully, he can smile from the dugout,” Gautam Gambhir said.
The exchange has surprised many followers of Indian cricket. Over the years, the relationship between Gambhir and Dhoni has often been a subject of debate, especially during Gambhir’s time as a television pundit when he occasionally made sharp remarks about Dhoni’s popularity and legacy.
🗣️ Gautam Gambhir opens up on his viral exchange with MS Dhoni:
“This smile is for him” pic.twitter.com/x4T9oUbjQq
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) March 16, 2026
Despite the renewed warmth, Dhoni currently has limited formal coaching experience. His only official stint with the Indian team came in 2021 when he served as a mentor during the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. India, however, exited the tournament in the group stage.
Still, many in cricketing circles believe Dhoni could eventually move into a coaching or mentoring role once he fully retires from playing. For now, the former India captain remains active in franchise cricket and is expected to feature again for Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.
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Meanwhile, Gambhir’s position as India’s head coach appears secure. Having already overseen India’s T20 World Cup triumph, he remains one of the few Indian coaches to guide the team to multiple ICC titles and is contracted through the 2027 Cricket World Cup cycle.
