MS Dhoni is known as ‘captain cool‘ because of his composed and stress-free attitude on the pitch. Many of his bold decisions not only surprised the fans but also shocked the opponent team by defeating them. In the history of cricket, no other Indian captain has achieved the feat of winning all ICC trophies except for MS Dhoni, including cricket tournaments such as the T20 World Cup in 2007, Asia Cups in 2010 and 2016, and the Cricket World Cup in 2011.
But on 15 August 2020, an Instagram video posted by MS Dhoni caused a shockwave throughout the country and even his team by announcing his retirement from all forms of international cricket. However, people were shocked by Dhoni’s sudden retirement decision. But cricket fans still hoped to see Dhoni playing in IPL.
The end of an era
Even after retiring from international cricket, he remains a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League due to his leadership as the Chennai Super Kings captain, who has won four championships.
It isn’t easy to know what plans MS Dhoni has, as he keeps them private. However, there has been speculation in recent years about Dhoni’s retirement plans after the 2023 IPL as he approaches his 42nd birthday in July 2023. Additionally, his declining form, physical capabilities and fitness have been criticized in recent seasons. He may completely retire from cricket.
That increases the chances that Dhoni can take retirement because some of the close people to him revealed in a recent interview that IPL 2023 could be the last IPL that Dhoni will play.
Colleagues Opinions
First, Suresh Raina has been Dhoni’s companion at CSK for over a decade. Raina, who retired from international cricket alongside Dhoni in 2020, stated in a recent interview that he anticipates Dhoni playing till IPL 2023 and then saying goodbye to the sport. Raina added that Dhoni is still passionate about the game and enjoys leading CSK. He also knows when to quit and values his body.
Another person who expressed a similar opinion is N Srinivasan, the former BCCI chief and CSK’s owner. Srinivasan expects Dhoni to continue playing until IPL 2023 and then take on a mentorship role at the franchise, as he believes Dhoni has much to offer to the young players at CSK.
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Final Decision
However, it is essential to note that the final decision regarding his retirement lies with Dhoni himself, as his decisions have always been surprising and unexpected. In addition, his performance in the IPL 2023 season will be a significant factor in his retirement decision. If he performs exceptionally well and leads the Chennai Super Kings to another IPL title, he may be encouraged to continue playing for another season.
Conversely, if he struggles with injuries or underperforms, he may retire from cricket altogether, especially if he feels he has nothing left to achieve or demonstrate in IPL.
In conclusion, the question of whether MS Dhoni will retire after the IPL 2023 season is one that only he can answer. However, it is certain that regardless of his choice, MS Dhoni’s legacy as one of history’s best cricket player and captain will always be remembered by cricket fans.
Image Courtesy – Wallpaper Cave
