MS Dhoni, despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, remains a towering figure in the world of cricket. His influence extends far beyond the playing field, inspiring countless cricketers with his unparalleled game sense and leadership. Although Dhoni last played in the IPL 2024, discussions about his future continue to dominate headlines, keeping fans and analysts alike on their toes.

Khaleel Ahmed’s admiration for Dhoni’s leadership

One of Dhoni's many admirers is left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, who has represented India in 11 ODIs and 18 T20Is. In a recent interview with former India opener Aakash Chopra, Khaleel shared a personal story that highlighted Dhoni's impact on him. During the interview, Chopra showed Khaleel a photo of Dhoni presenting him with a bouquet of flowers and asked about the moment behind it. The gesture, though simple, underscored Dhoni’s role as a mentor and leader, leaving a lasting impression on young cricketers like Khaleel.

"This photo was taken in New Zealand. We were going to the practice ground from the main ground. Mahi bhai was given flowers by his friends. I was walking with him. He passed me the flowers. Mahi bhai is not my friend, not my elder brother, he is my guru," Khaleel said on Chopra's YouTube channel.

"Since my childhood, I wanted to become the bowler who took the first over from India since I had watched Zaheer Khan growing up. In the Asia Cup, Mahi bhai, asked me to bowl the first over. I ran so hard, away from the huddle thinking that if I give it time he might change his mind. I think the most important player of a team gets to bowl the first.

CSK CEO refutes rumors of special request for Dhoni's retention

Amidst ongoing speculation about Dhoni's future with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), recent reports claimed that the franchise had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reinstate a now-abolished rule. This rule, scrapped after IPL 2021, allowed international players who had retired for five years to be categorized as 'uncapped,' making them eligible for a lower price in the IPL auction.

The reports suggested that CSK was keen on this rule’s reintroduction to retain Dhoni as an 'uncapped' player at a significantly lower price, potentially around Rs 4 crore, compared to the Rs 12 crore they paid to retain him in 2022. However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath has firmly denied these rumors, stating that the franchise made no such request to the BCCI.

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As the cricketing world waits to see what lies ahead for Dhoni, his legacy continues to inspire, and his decisions—both on and off the field—remain a topic of keen interest.