However, Dhoni’s lousy performance with the bat in the 2020 season along with CSKThe team’s performance made many wonder if Dhoni was also ending his IPL career. The Yellow Brigade slipped to its worst performance in IPL history, finishing seventh in points tally and failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in its 11-season history (CSK was suspended for two seasons). Dhoni managed to do just 200 runs with a strike rate of just over 116, the lowest he has done in an IPL season.
Dhoni, now 39, quelled all speculation about his future IPL himself.
In the draw in his last league game this season against Kings XI Punjab, former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Danny Morrison asked Dhoni if that would be his last IPL appearance. Dhoni, who is known for his calm and collected demeanor, replied, “Definitely not.”
Danny Morrison: Could this be your last game in yellow?
Dhoni: Definitely not!
Danny Morrison: Could this be your last game in yellow? #MSDhoni: Definitely not! #CSK won the draw and… https://t.co/sR1xMwsFiD
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 1604223801000
Interestingly, prior to this, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan had also said that he was confident that the ‘cool captain’ will continue to lead the team next year.
CSK played 14 matches at IPL 2020, winning 6 and suffering losses 8 times.
Previously, CSK won the title three times: 2010, 2011 and 2018. Apart from this, they finished as runners-up five times: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019.
Former wicket-keeper batsman from India Kiran More spoke to TimesofIndia.com about the future of Dhoni’s IPL saying ‘age is just a number’ for the only international captain to have won all three ICC trophies.
“In 13 years (11 for CSK), you may have a bad year. That’s what happened with CSK. CSK have won three titles. We shouldn’t give too much importance to CSK’s bad year. Dhoni is a legend Don’t forget that. Winning three titles is a great record. They (CSK) will go back to the drawing board and solve their problems, “More said.
When asked if Dhoni should retire and make way for other players for CSK, More said: “It is up to Dhoni how he feels, mentally and physically. Will his body allow him to play next year? Dhoni himself knows the answer better. What others”. . “More told TimesofIndia.com.
This season, there was no question that Dhoni looked rusty. He also preferred to go out to bat quite late in many games, raising his eyebrows more. The rust wasn’t surprising, considering this was the first time that Dhoni played competitively. Cricket since India’s expulsion from the semi-final at the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup, where they lost to New Zealand in Manchester in July 2019.
Former India captain Kapil Dev, who led India to the 1983 World Cup title, had previously said that it would be “impossible” for Dhoni to perform if he played solo from IPL to IPL. Kapil also said that Dhoni should consider playing national cricket to stay in shape, considering that MSD has withdrawn from international cricket entirely.
Prior to the 2020 IPL season, Dhoni’s worst performance with the bat was in the 2016 edition, where he played for the Rising Pune Supergiant team. He scored 284 runs in that edition. The only other two times, except for the 2016 and 2020 editions, when Dhoni failed to cross the 300-race mark in an IPL season were in 2010 (287 races for CSK) and 2017 (290 races for RPSG).
Plus, who played 49 tests and 94 ODIs for India feels that people should not doubt Dhoni’s abilities based on what happened in 2020 and the fact that he is 39 years old.
“It’s totally Dhoni’s decision (to retire from IPL). Age is just a number for Dhoni. Chris Gayle He is 41 years old and doing very well. This is the greatest example before us. We shouldn’t doubt Dhoni’s abilities. If he wants to play, he will play. So, let’s leave it to him, “More told TimesofIndia.com.
Technically, the next edition of the IPL is about five months away, following the traditional window of April to May. There is a possibility that the 2021 edition will also be played in the United Arab Emirates, if the Covid-19 situation in India does not improve, etc. Can MSD, a man synonymous with IPL success, reinvent himself in time and silence? your critics?
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