MS Dhoni opens up on his IPL future

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni once again left fans speculating about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL), choosing not to confirm whether this season was his last in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) colours.

Speaking after CSK’s dominant win over Gujarat Titans, the 43-year-old captain played it cool, neither announcing retirement nor committing to a return, instead highlighting that he has “the luxury of time” to decide.

“I have four-five months to decide, there’s no hurry,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation, adding that factors like fitness, motivation, and team needs would all weigh into his eventual call.

In classic Dhoni fashion, he offered a calm perspective on the retirement chatter.

“If cricketers start retiring for their performance, some of them will retire at 22,” he quipped, throwing light on how deeper factors influence such a big decision.

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MS Dhoni admitted that the physical demands of the IPL aren’t getting any easier.

“Every year, it’s 15 percent more effort to keep the body fit — not to forget this is top-level cricket. You have to be at your best,” he said.

But he was also quick to point out that performance isn’t the only metric when weighing one’s future.

“What is important to see is how much hunger you have, what kind of fitness you have, how much you can contribute to the team, and whether the team needs you or not,” he further stated.

For now, MS Dhoni plans to head back home to Ranchi, enjoy time off, and, in his words, “a few bike rides” before taking a final call.

“I am not saying I am done, I am not saying I am coming back. As I said, I have the luxury of time. When you have the luxury, then why not think about it and then decide,” he signed off.

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MS Dhoni breaks silence on his IPL future

Former India captain MS Dhoni opened up on his Indian Premier League (IPL) future with Chennai Super Kings, asserting that the decision would be in the best interest of the franchise.

As the cash-rich league nears the auction for its 2025 edition, Dhoni put things on hold to judge the change in rules specifically regarding the players’ retention. Thus, the veteran wicketkeeper batter boasts a wait-and-watch approach.

“There is a lot of time for it,” Dhoni said at an event in Hyderabad. “We have to see what decision they take on player retention etc. Right now, the ball is not in our court.

“So, once the rules and regulations get formalized, I will take a call, but it needs to be in the best interest of the team.”

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For the unversed, MS Dhoni, who turned 43 in July, played the 2023 edition of the IPL with his left knee heavily strapped.

“The surgery has been done in Mumbai and he is well,” Kasi Viswanathan, the Chennai Super Kings chief executive, told AFP. “The recovery process will take its time.”

Chennai edged out 2022 IPL champions Gujarat Titans by five wickets in a last-ball thriller in Ahmedabad that started on Monday and ended past 1:30 am Tuesday.

Dhoni had played the entire IPL season with a heavily strapped left knee and although he seemed perfectly fine while keeping, he sometimes batted as late as No. 8 and didn’t appear quick when running between the wickets.

After fevered speculation that MS Dhoni might call it quits, he hinted he could do “one more season” as “a gift” to fans.

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Ben Stokes pulls out of IPL 2024 due to workload management

England’s Test captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes has decided to withdraw from the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to manage his workload and fitness.

In a statement, released by Stokes’ IPL franchise Chennai Super League, the former champions said that they were “supportive of Ben in his decision”.

“England Test captain, all-rounder Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness,” stated Super Kings.

“Stokes, 32, became a part of the Super Kings ahead of the successful IPL 2023.

“He recently participated in the ODI World Cup 2023, which he came out of retirement for.

“The Chennai Super Kings management is supportive of Ben in his decision to manage his workload with England playing a 5-Test series in India before the IPL and then the T20 World Cup in June 2024.”

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However, Super Kings did not confirm whether they will release Ben Stokes.

Notably, the deadline to announce the retentions and releases for the 2024 edition of the IPL is November 26.

Meanwhile, if the franchise does not release the English all-rounder, there is a possibility that they will retain him and keep him ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2025.

Stokes has been nursing a chronic knee issue and has announced that he will undergo surgery on his left knee after the World Cup to ensure that he will attain full fitness before the India tour next year in January where England are scheduled to play a five-match series.

Ben Stokes, who was the most expensive purchase for the Super Kings at INR 16.25 crore, featured in only two fixtures for the eventual champions. He scored 15 runs and bowled just one over that went for 18 runs.

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