As the sporting world witnesses a wave of retirements, including James Anderson, Virat Kohli, and Sunil Chhetri, the question of MS Dhoni’s future looms large. The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman, now 42 years old, has not made any official announcement, but speculation suggests that IPL 2024 could mark the end of his illustrious career.
Dhoni’s knee injury and the emergence of Ruturaj Gaikwad as Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) captain have raised questions about his remaining cricket. However, former CSK teammate and batting coach Michael Hussey believes Dhoni may still have some gas left in the tank. Hussey said on the ‘Around the Wicket’ podcast, “Your guess is as good as mine at this stage. He keeps his cards very, very close to his chest. We are hoping he does keep going. He is still batting so well.”
Despite calls from fans to bat higher in the order, Hussey confirmed that Dhoni’s knee limits his flexibility. “I know fans probably want to see him batting a little bit higher in the order,” said Hussey, “but that [the knee surgery] is why we have had to manage him a little bit and he only comes in at the back end.”
The veteran has turned back the clock in this IPL, showcasing vintage power-hitting and match-winning cameos. His 20-run over against Mumbai Indians, including one-handed sixes and the iconic ‘Helicopter’ shot, was a testament to his enduring brilliance.
Whether Dhoni will continue playing beyond IPL 2024 remains to be seen. As Hussey noted, “He likes to build the drama a little bit as well. So I wouldn’t expect a decision anytime soon.”
