Last game will be in Chennai: MS Dhoni sheds light on IPL future

MS Dhoni on Saturday said there is a lot of time to take a call on his Chennai Super Kings future. This statement from Thala comes as the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League is set to see a mega-auction and two new franchises – Ahmedabad and Lucknow.

“I have always planned my cricket. My last game that I played was in Ranchi. The last home game in ODI version was at my hometown in Ranchi. So, hopefully, my last T20 will be in Chennai. Whether it’s next year or in 5 years’ time, we don’t really know,” Dhoni said. 

Dhoni has led the Chennai Super Kings since 2008. Under his leadership, the yellow army has made nine final appearances, winning the title on four occasions (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021). However, with the skipper turning 39 and not being as effective with the bat as he was, there have been questions around his future with CSK. 

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When asked, at an event in Chennai, about his future, Dhoni, as per ANI, said, “I will think about it, there is a lot of time, right now we are just in November. IPL 2022 will be played in April.”

MSD has been tight-lipped about his participation in the next year’s edition of the tournament since winning IPL 2021. 

Ahmedabad and Lucknow were announced as the two new sides for IPL 2022. When asked during a post-match ceremony during IPL 2021, Dhoni had said that he still has not left behind his legacy for CSK. This could mean, Chennai could see one more season of their Thala. 

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“Again I’ve said it before, it depends on BCCI. With two new teams coming in, we have to decide what is good for CSK. It’s not about me being there in top-three or four. It’s about making a strong core to ensure the franchise doesn’t suffer. The core group, we have to have a hard look to see who can contribute for the next 10 years,” Dhoni had said at a post-match presentation.

Harsha Bhogale, after an IPL game, had said, “You can be proud of the legacy you have left behind”, when Dhoni respond, saying, “Still I haven’t left behind.”