Virat Kohli’s recent remarks about the significance of watching MS Dhoni play in Indian stadiums have fueled speculation about the veteran wicketkeeper-batter’s retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram has also weighed in on the matter, expressing his belief that Dhoni might bid farewell to the tournament after Chennai Super Kings’ elimination from the playoff race in the 2024 season.
Dhoni, who had earlier relinquished the captaincy of CSK ahead of the IPL 2024 opener, has continued to play a pivotal role for the team as a lower-order batter. In CSK’s final league match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dhoni played a crucial cameo, smashing a monstrous six off Yash Dayal in the last over. However, CSK ultimately lost the match by 27 runs, ending their hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Akram, in a conversation with Sportskeeda, expressed his gut feeling that Dhoni would retire from IPL cricket after the 2024 season. “Players like him come in a lifetime, it all depends on him,” said Akram. “His legacy is not just that [110m] six, it’s something else. He’s done a lot for Indian cricket. He brought the mindset. As a captain, he brought calmness, played captaincy knocks, the way he became a finisher, the way he has groomed players, and showed consistency, so this will be his legacy,” added the former Pakistan skipper.
Dhoni’s fiery cameo against RCB, where he scored 25 off 13 balls, showcased his exceptional batting prowess. The 42-year-old has amassed 161 runs in 14 games for CSK, batting at an explosive strike rate of 220.54. However, in the same season, Dhoni also dropped down to the lowest batting position of his T20 career, batting at number nine. Despite this, he remained unbeaten in seven games.
“But, yes, for fans the last image will be that 110-meter six at his age, it’s incredible fitness. It will only be a glimpse of his legacy,” concluded Akram. As fans speculate about Dhoni’s future in the IPL, his contributions to the tournament and Indian cricket as a whole will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy.
