MS Dhoni turns 40 however set to stay at CSK for few more years: Kasi Viswanathan

“There is no trade for MS Dhoni,” say experts.

IPL 2021: Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni turned 40 on Wednesday. Keeping in mind that his days with the national team are over, he looks set to continue in the leadership role with his Indian Premier League franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) essentially for another few more years. 

“He can proceed for another one or two years with CSK. He is completely fit and trains a ton. Can’t see any reason why he should stop,” said CSK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kasi Viswanathan to IANS on Wednesday. 

Dhoni will lead the franchise in the rest of IPL 2021 matches in the United Arab Emirates in September-October. While his performance with the bat in the first half of the competition, before it was suspended due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in the bio-bubble, was ordinary, his initiative has kept the team together. CSK is in the second position with five wins in seven matches, also with the best net run rate. 

This season, as in the previous seasons, he has utilized horses for course policy like bowling outswing bowler Deepak Chahar from the get-go in one spell. He pushed Moeen Ali up the order and gave him the permit to, after the bowling attack of the opponent, backed by opener Ruturaj Gaikwad as far as possible. 

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Batting-wise however he hasn’t been that useful this season – scoring 37 runs in seven games – batting at an average of 12.33 and hitting only one six out of 30 balls. In any case, he had the opportunity to bat just four times in those seven games and stayed not out in one of those innings. In spite of the fact that his performance with the bat hasn’t been sufficient in the first half which occurred in April-May, his leadership restored the Chennai of old eras as they kept a firm stance in the top half of the points table. 

The CSK management thinks that he actually has the quality to finish the innings and stays vital to the team’s arrangements. 

“Taking everything into account, we are glad for what he has done for CSK. It’s not just his captaincy or the way that he is a guide or a pioneer as the most experienced player. We feel he is still good and carries esteem as a player aside. He has been a finisher and is doing that for us,” added Viswanathan. 

The IPL will most likely see the addition of two new teams in next year’s edition. There will be a mega-auction. Dhoni will play a key role in the formation of the squad.

The IPL will probably see the expansion of two new teams in the next year’s release. There will be a mega-auction. Dhoni will play a critical part in the formation of the squad for CSK. 

Former Indian wicket-keeper Vijay Dahiya, who was likewise the mentor of the two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders said, “CSK is MS Dhoni, MS Dhoni in CSK.” Which is true to every point. 

“He has a gigantic experience with T20 cricket. The turnaround you see in CSK (from seventh in IPL 2020 to second now in IPL 2021 – his initiative has been phenomenal. The worth he carries with his experience is inestimable,” said Dahiya. 

“You take a gander at Sam Curran (who is with CSK) and how he has become a warrior. Indeed, even the England team management has admitted his and CSK’s commitment,” added Dahiya, to his previous statements. 

“There is a style CSK follow and that can’t be delinked from Dhoni. His commitment is to keep the CSK core intact over the course of the years to make the franchise among the best. He realizes what to take from a player,” he added. 

Dahiya says no wicketkeeper, even of international level right now can replace Dhoni at CSK at any point in time.  

Dhoni has been captaining the CSK franchise since the debut 2008 season. He had momentarily driven Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in 2016 when CSK was suspended yet was taken out as captain before the following season as RPS finished seventh in 2016.