The cricketing world is abuzz with excitement as the news breaks that MS Dhoni has been retained by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2024. This decision not only secures his presence in the upcoming season but also sparks discussions about the legendary captain’s future in the league.
CSK, the defending champions, have made a bold move by retaining MS Dhoni, signalling their confidence in his leadership and cricketing prowess. This strategic decision almost guarantees that the seasoned cricketer will grace the IPL stage for at least one more season, adding another chapter to his illustrious career.
With five IPL titles each as captains, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma stand at the pinnacle of success in the league. The retention of Dhoni places him on par with Sharma, making the rivalry between CSK and Mumbai Indians (MI) even more intense. Together, these two franchises reign as the most successful in IPL history.
In a recent YouTube video, AB De Villiers shared his thoughts on MS Dhoni’s future in the IPL. Acknowledging Dhoni’s age, 42, and his status as one of the oldest players in the league, De Villiers expressed joy at seeing Dhoni’s name on the retention list. The former Indian skipper’s ability to keep everyone guessing about his retirement plans adds an element of surprise to every IPL season.
De Villiers, known for his unpredictable playing style, speculated on Dhoni’s future, suggesting that the seasoned campaigner might have more surprises up his sleeve. “Maybe he has got three more to go; who knows?” ABD mused. The unpredictability that Dhoni brings to the game continues to captivate fans and fellow players alike.
“I see that man’s name on the retention list, and it just makes me happy. There was a lot of talk about it in the last season about whether it was going to be his last season. He is moving on to 2024 to play another IPL season. With him, he is always full of surprises. Maybe he has got three more to go; who knows? But It is just great to see his name on there” ABD said on Dhoni.
AB De Villiers also lauded CSK for their knack for picking up released players and turning them into match-winners. He specifically mentioned Shahrukh Khan, a player from Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, as someone CSK might target in the upcoming auction. De Villiers praised Khan’s consistency and powerful hitting, highlighting CSK’s ability to identify and utilize talent that other teams may have overlooked.
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The former South African skipper added, “He (Shahrukh Khan) is a strong player and is pretty consistent. I am very sure some of the teams will be very keen to get him over there. He hits the ball a long way, as well. That’s where CSK stand out. They are very good at picking up released players. “Guys who seem to be forgotten, all of a sudden play in the yellow jersey and are in the top five run-scorers list or wicket-taking list.”
As part of their team-building strategy, CSK released eight players ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. With a remaining purse of INR 32.1 crore, the franchise has ample resources to strengthen their squad further, maintaining the delicate balance between experience and emerging talent.
