A mentor in cricket is one of the high-profile positions mostly reserved for game legends. Cricket, much like other sports, needs a good support staff as much as the main cast. Everyone plays a crucial role in strengthening a side, from head coach to batting coach to mental conditioning coach. Here we will talk about what a mentor in cricket is and their role in a team.
Mentor in cricket: Top 5 list
| Sr. No | Cricketer | Team | Tournament | Year |
| 1 | MS Dhoni | India | T20 World Cup | 2021 |
| 2 | Matthew Hayden | Pakistan | T20 World Cup | 2022 |
| 3 | Michael Hussey | Australia | ODI series vs India | 2019 |
| 4 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | World Cup | 2019 |
| 5 | Michael Hussey | England | T20 World Cup | 2022 |
What is the role of a mentor in a cricket team?
A mentor is someone who guides the players in the team. More than technical, a mentor’s role is to keep players in a positive mindset and help them apply their skill set better. Simply put, a mentor’s role is to share his or her experience with the players.
A mentor can also provide tactical inputs to players and the team.
Difference between a coach and a mentor in cricket
The basic meaning of a mentor and a coach can be very similar, especially for an individual player. But in a professional team at the highest level, there are some distinctions.
A coach has a full-fledged role, where he has to be involved in the selection process, draw the plans and tactics for matches, work on the players’ techniques and manage the team. A mentor’s role is more like a freelancer. A mentor can be there and share his or her experience with young players.
When a team looks for a coach, the coaching experience of the candidate, the track record and the plans they present for the team are important factors. A mentor, on the other hand, is a position that is reserved for the legends of the sport. Great players with remarkable careers and experience usually get appointed mentors.
Legendary players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni and Ricky Ponting have previously taken the role of mentor.
What are the benefits of a mentor in the Indian team?
The coach and captain have plenty of workloads, from drawing the strategies to technical aspects to managing the players. A mentor can take some of that workload off.
As already mentioned, a mentor can do most of the things a coach should do. He or she can watch over the players in training sessions, help them correct technical deficiencies and change their mindset of approaching a match. A mentor can also help to keep the team atmosphere healthy and fun.
When was MS Dhoni named the mentor of the Indian team?
MS Dhoni was appointed as the mentor of the Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup in 2021. The Indian star is one of the greatest captains to have played the game. Dhoni is the only captain in history to have led his side to the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy victories. Dhoni has also won four titles as the captain of Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
The logic behind his appointment was that his experience of leading India and his IPL franchise to several trophies would be helpful for the then-captain Virat Kohli and the team. The feeling was that his winning experience and the ice-cool nature could also help the Indian players in a big tournament.
However, India suffered an embarrassing group-stage exit in the ICC tournament held in the UAE after losing their first two matches against Pakistan and New Zealand. And the position of the mentor was not carried forward by the board.
FAQs
What in the meaning of mentor in cricket?
Mentor is someone offers guidance and shares experience to the team, helps players maximize their skill set and provide technical insights if needed. A mentor has a lot less responsibilities than coaches.
Who is the mentor of the Indian cricket team?
Indian cricket team only had a designated mentor once, during the 2021 T20 World Cup when MS Dhoni handled the role.
Does the India team have a mentor in 2022?
No, the Indian team does not have a mentor in 2022.
