MS Dhoni Retirement: Yes, Maybe, Definitely not, you’ve decided, not me – MS Dhoni has kept his fans intrigued and in suspense about his future. But if Dhoni’s closed ones are to be believed, ‘Mahi Way’ is set to last another year. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain is likely to stay on for one more year before calling it quits. That may happen ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. Not Now. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The reason is, of course, CSK. MS Dhoni hasn’t struggled with his personal form this time. The amount of time he has got on the crease, he has enthralled fans with sixes, recording a big jump in viewership every time he has come to the crease. But the situation in CSK is not so fluid. CSK are yet to finalise on Dhoni’s successor. Ben Stokes was destined to be the new CSK leader. But his injury and NOC have not eased things. Ravindra Jadeja is unlikely to be given the captaincy duty again, leaving Ajinkya Rahane as the only option for the moment.
“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.
When will Dhoni Retire?
This is currently the million-dollar question in the IPL circle. The way things have shaped up so far, everything points towards a farewell game in Chepauk or in front of a world-record crowd at Narendra Modi Stadium. But that Dhoni has time and again refuted and dismissed retirement rumours is a testament of how hush-hush things have been.
Commentator Danny Morrison asked Dhoni, “This wonderful swansong tour is your last, how are you enjoying it?”
Dhoni responded, “You’ve decided it is my last, not me.”
His long-term friend and teammate Suresh Raina too has dismissed an imminent retirement.
“When I met him recently Mahi bhai said he will win the trophy this year and will play the next season too. Dhoni bhai is looking good and he is batting really well. CSK’s team combination is very good. He should play some more seasons. Going by the time I have spent with him and the way I know him, he should play for one more year,” Suresh Raina told TOI.
MS Dhoni Retirement: Why IPL 2025 Mega Auction important?
CSK have almost covered all bases barring the pace unit. But it’s their captaincy that needs a relook beyond Dhoni. Jadeja failed to do justice to the role last season, forcing Dhoni to reclaim the captaincy role after just 8 matches. But in 2025, Dhoni will be 43 and the team will once again undergo an overhaul with the potential of long-term contracts.
The current understanding is that MS Dhoni wants to take a wait-and-see approach on Ben Stokes. The 31-year-old may very well take a call on his England T20 future after the 2024 WC. That is when he could spend more time in franchise cricket. If Stokes remain available for SA20, CSK could offer him a long-term contract. And Dhoni would have no problem handing over the reins.
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“There are a lot of things to understand here. See, there will be a mega auction in 2025. We have to see which players we get, who we can retain. It has to be a long-term option. We don’t choose captain for a season and MS wants continuity. A lot of things will be clear next year. There are a lot of fitness issues at the moment and at this stage, we don’t have a clear understanding of who can lead the team after MS. For the moment, MS stays on, for how long, we don’t know. We can only hope that it is longer,” the CSK official explained.
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