As the highly anticipated IPL 2024 draws near, all eyes are on MS Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, who, despite stepping away from international cricket, continues to play a significant role in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhoni, leading the Chennai Super Kings, secured their fifth IPL title in 2023, bringing joy to fans when he confirmed his continued participation in the league. However, with Dhoni now 42 years old, speculation abounds regarding his future in the sport.
When asked about his plans beyond cricket, Dhoni provided an intriguing response, stating, “I have never thought about it. I am still playing cricket. IPL I am still playing. It will be very interesting to see what I end up doing after cricket. I think for sure, I want to spend a bit more time with the Army because the last few years I have not been able to do that,” as seen in a viral video.
With the upcoming IPL 2024 season for the Chennai Super Kings, the critical question of Dhoni’s successor comes to the forefront. While Ravindra Jadeja briefly assumed the captaincy in 2022, the strategy faced challenges, leading to Dhoni’s mid-season reinstatement. The team is now actively searching for a new captain, and there are uncertainties surrounding Jadeja’s return to the role.
Addressing the matter during a press conference at the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai, head coach Stephen Fleming surprisingly revealed that CSK has had succession plans for Dhoni for the past decade. Despite these plans, Dhoni continues to lead the team with unwavering enthusiasm, as expressed by Fleming: “We’ve had succession plans for MS for about 10 years. It is going to be a talking point, but he is as engaged and as enthusiastic as I have seen him for a while. While that passion is there for the team and franchise, we’ll roll on.”
As fans eagerly anticipate Dhoni’s performance in the upcoming IPL and speculate about his future endeavors, the uncertainties surrounding CSK’s captaincy add an extra layer of intrigue to the approaching season.