As the IPL heat settles down, what’s next for Dhoni?
IPL 2024 is drawing to a close, with the final match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) set to be played on May 21 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The tournament had its ups and downs, with moments that have never been witnessed before. Records were broken, and so were hearts.
Passionate cricket fans watched on as their favourite cricketers took centre stage and entertained them better than any thriller movie ever can. One such eternally favourite cricketer was MS Dhoni, who had set social media ablaze when his long haircut, which looked similar to the style he had during his first steps into stardom. Interestingly, many have speculated – was it an indication that Dhoni has decided to hang his boots, or is it just another new haircut?
The Thoughts
The answer might lie in IPL 2024 as a whole and the numbers he managed to rack up throughout the tournament in Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The former Indian Cricket Team captain did not lead CSK this year as the responsibility was handed over to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has proved his worth since joining CSK in 2019.
He scored a total of 161 runs in the 11 innings played, with an average of 53.67. He has hit 14 boundaries and 13 sixes, which has given him a strike rate of 220.5. He has contributed mostly in the death overs, which is not an easy stage to bat as the pressure is high, and Indian cricket fans always expect CSK to win because of its legacy in IPL. MS Dhoni stepped onto the pitch in IPL 2024 after a year-long break from cricket, and this also raised questions about his fitness and overall match sharpness. It can be safely said that those questions have been answered.
There are cricketers who have challenged their age and have carried on with their professional careers. Some of the most notable names are James Anderson (41), Fawad Alam (38), Angelo Matthews (36), and Craig Ervine (38). As age begins to take a toll on the fitness of cricketers, natural fitness and situational awareness drop, and this can be evident in MS Dhoni as well. Despite his explosive form with the bat, he was criticized in Match 49 of Tata IPL 2024, where CSK was facing Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Dhoni denied a single and kept Daryl Mitchell, who is known to be a big hitter, at the non-striker’s end after facing three consecutive dot balls. Dhoni ended the innings with just 14 runs from 11 balls in that match. Heavy criticism followed, and MS Dhoni’s fitness to play at this level was once again brought back into question.
CSK paid 14 crores to Daryl Mitchell for THALA to send him back, completing almost 2 runs for nothing😂
Meanwhile, Suresh Raina on air (in Hindi): This is Bahubali on crease. The magician of cricket – MS Dhoni is such a big name in cricket that just hearing his name increases… pic.twitter.com/8KCBIEnAV7
— Sanat Prabhu (@TheCovertIndian) May 2, 2024Once a legend, always a legend
MS Dhoni retired from test cricket format in 2014 as the most successful captain for the Indian Cricket Team, passing on the responsibility to Virat Kohli. He retired from the one-day international format in 2020 but continued playing in the shorter format of the game through the Indian Premier League as the captain of CSK. After 2020, CSK won the IPL two times under his leadership, once in 2021 and again in 2023, which is also a testimony to his character.
Fans and Dhoni
Fans have now urged Dhoni to retire after Dinesh Karthik announced his retirement on May 22 after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) was eliminated by Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL Eliminator Playoff match. However, another group of fans has urged Dhoni to play in IPL 2025, as CSK’s elimination from the group stages in this year’s IPL left a bittersweet taste in the team and his fan base. It remains to be seen if Thala will be back next year or if the match against RCB was his last dance between the 22 yards.
