Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni once again keeps the cricket fraternity guessing about his plans in Indian Premier League as he gave a cheeky reply to Danny Morrison after winning the toss against Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday. The 41-year-old is widely expected to hang up his boots after playing in front of the home crowd in Chennai this year.
There has been a lot of speculation that Dhoni is playing his last season for Chennai Super Kings(CSK) in the 16th edition of the IPL as the fans turn up in large numbers in CSK colours to support him during home and away games.
Speaking to the Presentator, Danny Morrison after winning the toss, Dhoni was asked about IPL 2023 being his last season and how he was enjoying it, to which the CSK skipper gave a surprising answer with a broad smile to keep the fans guessing.
“Only MS Dhoni knows when he will retire. I said last year that will play this year. I don’t know if he will play next year as well. Yes, if he plays next year, the fans will be happy to see him playing. Fans have always wanted to see him playing,” Harbhajan Singh said in Star Sports.
Earlier in post-match presentations, Dhoni admitted that he is “in the last phase of his career” and thanked the fans for coming in large numbers to support him throughout the country this statement to Morrison had once put in a lot of speculation in his retirement plans.
MS Dhoni Is No Longer Playing As A Player But As A Mentor – Mohammad Kaif
Former Indian Cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that MS Dhoni no longer plays as a player in the team but has turned as a mentor to get the job done by the youngster in the team and said that he motives the players in the team to win the matches for side to make the job easier for the four-time champions.
“Mahi is no longer playing as a player but as a mentor. He chooses the team. Let’s get on the field. He does not tease the seniors much but keeps on teaching the youth all the time. He wants every player, playing under him, to perform well as it will make the team’s job easier,” Mohammad Kaif said.
Dhoni is unarguably one of the greatest Indian captains in the history of cricket winning three ICC titles for India and he has led Chennai Super Kings to become the second most successful franchise winning 4 IPL titles in the cash-rich league.