Chennai Super Kings’ legendary skipper MS Dhoni completed another IPL season at the age of 43, but fans are very much hoping to see him back in the next season. While Dhoni has said that he will take time before deciding on his future, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes the veteran still has the hunger to continue.
The eighteenth edition of the cash-rich league was tough for the five-time champions. Despite a strong performance in their final game, where they scored their season-best 238 and defeated Gujarat Titans, CSK finished at the bottom of the points table for the first time in their history. Notably, they won just four out of 14 games. However, Uthappa feels the Ranchi-born still has the passion to contribute.
“It all depends on his health and how he feels. You have to understand that he really wants to play. The fire still burns. From what he said during the post-match presentation, it’s clear that the fire still burns to win championships, to play out there in the middle. Now it’s about going back and working on his body to bring it to the level he wants for the next IPL. If that doesn’t happen, he’ll call it before the mini-auction. If not, you’ll see a tweet or an Instagram post,” Uthappa said on JioStar.
How has MS Dhoni performed in IPL across all seasons?
I have 4-5 months to decide: MS Dhoni
Dhoni, who started the season playing as a wicketkeeper-batter, had to take over captaincy midway after Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured. Under his leadership, CSK managed three wins, but the campaign ultimately ended on a poor note. As a batter, he scored 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17.
Meanwhile, after the win against GT, Dhoni did not give a definitive answer about what the future holds for him as a player. He revealed that he has 4-5 months to make a decision.
“It depends, you know. Again, I would say the same thing. I have 4-5 months to decide. There is no hurry to decide. Every year, it’s 15% more effort. To keep the body fit. Not to forget this is top level cricket. It’s professional cricket. You have to be at your best. It’s not always performance that you can count. Because if cricketers start retiring because of performances, few of them will retire when they are 22. So what is important is to see how much hunger you have. What kind of fitness you have. And how much you can contribute to the team. Whether the team needs you or not. So [I] have enough time and go back to Ranchi. I haven’t been home for a long time…enjoy a few bike rides… [take a] couple of months then decide,” said Dhoni in the post-match presentation ceremony.
