Anubhav Katheria
‘Will MS Dhoni play one more season of IPL’ is one such question that everyone asks throughout the IPL and after the IPL until the next season.
As much as we loved to see MS in the Indian jersey, we can’t deny the fact that watching MS in yellow is a treat to our eyes, that’s why everyone since 2019 has been asking this same question to MS and expecting to see him in yellow one more time.
In a recent event in Hyderabad, when Dhoni was asked about his future with the CSK team, Dhoni said that there is a lot of time to decide, they must see what decision BCCI will take on player retention etc. right now the ball is not in their court, MS added.
Dhoni also said that he will take a call once the rules and regulations get finalised but needs to be in the best interest of the team.
Last year CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs, they ended their season on 5th position with 14 points which was the same as RCB but due to the low net run rate of CSK, RCB qualified for the playoffs. In the last league match of CSK vs RCB, CSK needed 17 runs in the last bowl and the best finisher MS Dhoni was on strike he hit a 110m long six but on the next ball he was caught out, the disappointment on Dhoni’s face was clear.
Dhoni had a knee injury in 2023 despite of which he lead CSK to their 5th title, he said that he wants to give fans a gift by playing one more season of IPL, in return of the love he received in IPL across venues by the people, he had a surgery after IPL and was used as a six hitter in the IPL 2024 where he use to come at last and hit sixes.
CSK to retain Dhoni?
CSK is looking to retain MS as an uncapped player. In the meeting with the BCCI, CSK demanded reintroduction of an old rule that classifies the internationally retired cricketer for 5 or more than 5 years as an uncapped player. This rule existed from 2008 to 2021 and if MS Dhoni will be classified as an uncapped player it would help CSK retain him for lower cost. This rule states that if any cricketer hasn’t played international cricket for 5 or more years, then that player is classified as uncapped.
This rule was opposed by some franchises at the meeting, where SRH owner Kavya Maran said that it will be disrespectful to the players value and will set up a wrong precedent.
DHONI and CSK
Dhoni has a bond with CSK which cannot be justified in words, he has been with CSK since the start of IPL in 2008, he is the most successful captain of the IPL and CSK is the most Successful team of IPL, they have won the title 5 times, have played finals 10 times and have qualified for playoffs 12 times out of all 15 seasons that they have played (ban for 2 years), all of this, they achieved under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. However, MS stepped down as the captain in 2024 and the young Ruturaj Gaikwad became the new captain.
Dhoni is loved by every Indian for what he has done for the country, he is the only captain in the history to win 3 ICC trophies and not only this his personality and nature is the big reason why people love him. He is regarded as ‘THALA’ in the south, it means big brother, and this is the reason why everyone wants to see Thala in yellow for one more time.