The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the first couple of pictures of former Indian captain MS Dhoni as Team India's mentor for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The national team, led by Virat Kohli, will be playing two warm-up matches before they begin their World Cup campaign.

"Extending a very warm welcome to the KING @msdhoni is back with #TeamIndia and in a new role!" the BCCI's official page wrote on Twitter. Dhoni, who announced his retirement from international cricket last year, has been one of the most successful captains in the history of world cricket, having led his team to victory in the inaugural 2007 ICC World T20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Speaking about Dhoni's appointment as Team India's mentor, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal had said, "He has been a great leader. Records are amazing. It is really great to have him as a mentor of the team for the ICC World Cup. He has a good reputation and respect in the team, and also bringing him doesn't mean to undermine anybody. They have also done a phenomenal job."

India will be playing their first match of the T20 World Cup against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on October 24, while they will be facing off against New Zealand at the same venue on October 31. Ahead of this, the team will take on England in their first warm-up match on Monday and then play against Australia in the second warm-up game on Wednesday.

Extending a very warm welcome to the KING ??@msdhoni is back with #TeamIndia and in a new role!?? pic.twitter.com/Ew5PylMdRy

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 17, 2021