MS Dhoni Retirement likely to be delayed, CSK CEO confirms,Thala to play another IPL season

MS Dhoni Retirement: Will he? Won’t he? MS Dhoni has once again kept fans guessing about his next move. Whether IPL 2023 will be his last is now a matter of speculation as even Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan is not sure of CSK captain’s next move. However, the idea in CSK dressing room and management is that Thala Dhoni will continue for one more season before taking a call on his future ahead of the mega auction in 2025. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.

“We believe MS Dhoni is going to play next season as well, so I hope fans will continue to support us like every time,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was quoted by TimesNow.

InsideSport earlier reported that IPL 2023 will not be his last. Instead, MS Dhoni will continue for one more season before choosing his successor. Fitness has been one of the key issues for the former India captain. He is carrying a knee injury throughout the season and is yet to fully recover. Even on Sunday when entire CSK squad was thanking their fans at Chepauk after their last league game at home, Dhoni’s knee was heavily strapped with an icepack.

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CSK captaincy conundrum after MS Dhoni Retirement:

There is no reason to believe Dhoni’s form is affecting the team and thus it is not a reason. CSK’s form is also decent as they are just a win away from confirming a spot in the playoffs. However, it’s the captaincy decision that is preventing Dhoni from taking one last big call as a professional cricketer.

Chennai are yet to take a call on Dhoni’s successor. Ben Stokes was tipped to be the new CSK captain. But his injury and national team commitments have not helped things. Ravindra Jadeja is unlikely to get another shot at the job after failing miserably last season. Ajinkya Rahane and Ruturaj Gaikwad are two other options but the latter is too young and the former is 35.

“MS has not informed us anything about his retirement yet. We understand that the day will come sooner than later. But he understands his responsibility better than others. One of them is choosing the next captain. At the moment, we do not have many options. Ben has struggled with injuries, Jadeja had his chance but could not deliver. So, that may be the reason. But as things stand, MS has not told us anything about retiring at the end of IPL 2023,” a CSK official in the knowhow told InsideSport.

ThalaiVanakkam! 🦁🤳#YellorukkumThanks #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/ruY689aAPv

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 14, 2023

MS Dhoni Retirement: Why is IPL 2025 Mega Auction important?

CSK have covered all the bases except the pace unit. In 2025, the team will once again undergo an overhaul with the potential of long-term contracts. Dhoni will also be 43 and with CSK expanding their footprints across the globe in SA20 League as well as Major League Cricket.

With an overhaul of CSK squad, MS Dhoni could pass on the baton to someone like Stokes. Dhoni could then move to mentorship role in all three franchise tournaments as he is set to stay on in some capacity at the CSK.

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