What is the first thing which comes to your mind when you hear the name Chennai Super Kings?. I am sure the answer is MS Dhoni for most of you all. The legendary Indian wicketkeeper has been playing for the Chennai-based team since the inception of the Indian Premier League.
Under his captaincy, CSK have won the IPL trophy thrice in the year 2010, 2011 and 2018. CSK are one of the most successful teams in the history of the IPL and huge credits for this goes to the ‘Thala’ of Chennai. However, it looks like the end is near for the ageing MS Dhoni and his long-lasting love story with CSK.
MS Dhoni retired from all formats of international cricket last year but featured for CSK in IPL 13. Nevertheless, there is a huge possibility that MS Dhoni might be playing his last season for CSK.
Here are the three reasons why.
Reason 1
Recently, a Chennai Super Kings board member admitted that this might be MS Dhoni’s last season with them. The Chennai-based franchise was upset about the fact that MS Dhoni will not play a single game in Chennai in what could be his last year with the ‘Yellow Brigade’.
“You are denying MS Dhoni to play his potential last IPL in Chennai. If there are to be no crowds, what stops CSK to play in Chennai and Mumbai Indians to play in Mumbai,” CSK’s official told Cricbuzz.
Reason 2
MS Dhoni is the only player in IPL’s history for who all the 8 teams went on a bidding war back in 2008. The same scenario can repeat in the upcoming mega auction later this year. Every team will want to add the two times World Cup-winning Indian captain to their side. It won’t be easy for CSK to retain their superstar if he goes under the hammer.
Reason 3
MS Dhoni might end his run as a cricketer after this year’s IPL. 39-year-old MS Dhoni has witnessed all the highs in his career except the last few years in his career. He was blamed for his slow-paced innings during India’s 2019 World Cup loss against New Zealand and also experienced a poor season in IPL 2013. If MS Dhoni fails to find his form back, he might as well finish his tenure as a player.