 "MS Dhoni drops major hint on future with CSK and Indian Premier League: 'I don't know I'm coming for the next game'")
India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend MS Dhoni addressed his future in the sport for the first time in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday. Dhoni, who is leading the ‘Yellow Army’ once again this year following a season-ending injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad, came up with a crisp one-line reply during toss in CSK’s home game against Punjab Kings on Wednesday.
Dhoni remains coy as ever on his IPL future
“Does that mean, you will be coming for the next season?” cricketer-turned-commentator Danny Morrison asked after Dhoni was greeted with a familiar roar at the MA Chidambaram Stadium when it was his turn to speak at the toss.
“I don’t know I’m coming for the next game,” Dhoni replied with a laugh.
“One of the things is the pride factor. Majority of the games you play at home. Home advantage is very important which we haven’t been able to capitalise on,” ‘Thala’ added before revealing CSK’s playing XI for the game, which is the same as the one that lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets last week.
Dhoni had made his last appearance for the Men in Blue in the 2019 ICC World Cup and announced his retirement the following year. The former India captain, however, has continued playing in the IPL after his international retirement, leading CSK to victory in 2021 and 2023 to help them go level with arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in terms of IPL title count.
Dhoni, who will turn 44 this July, had also stepped down as captain on a couple of occasions, with the franchise briefly appointing Ravindra Jadeja to the role in 2022 before naming Ruturaj Gaikwad as his successor last year. While Jadeja stepped down after a handful of games thanks to a string of defeats, Gaikwad’s side narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts‘MSD’, meanwhile, has been struggling with his fitness for the last couple of years, having undergone a knee surgery after CSK’s triumph in 2023, which was widely believed to be his farewell season. Dhoni has been limiting his time at the crease in the last couple of seasons, batting as low as No 9 in a couple of those games.
And even though he remains agile as ever behind the stumps, his poor returns with the bat has been a cause for concern for the Super Kings, especially in the ongoing season in which the five-time champions find themselves on the brink of an exit after losing seven out of nine matches.
Against PBKS at Chepauk, Dhoni collected a four and a six before getting dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal for 11 off 4 balls in the penultimate over of CSK’s innings.
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