(Source X)
MS Dhoni’s retirement from the IPL has left his fans in suspense, especially those who were hoping to see him lead Chennai Super Kings in the playoffs earlier this year. The setting seemed ideal for Dhoni’s farewell, with Qualifier 2 and the final slated for the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. However, the hopes were dashed as the yellow brigade lost their crucial league match to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 27 runs, abruptly ending their season.
The uncertainty surrounding Dhoni’s IPL future has only deepened, with neither team management nor his close associates shedding light on the matter. As the mega auctions loom ahead of IPL 2025, speculation mounts about whether Dhoni will continue his cricketing journey, possibly making a decision based on the strategic planning for the upcoming season.
In a revealing moment, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami shared insights from a conversation with Dhoni regarding the timing of retiring from cricket. During a YouTube podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, Shami disclosed Dhoni’s belief that a cricketer should only hang up his boots when the joy of playing the game ceases to exist for him.
“You [media] guys have been putting a question mark on his future the man himself says, ‘Dekha Jayega’ [let’s see],” Shami said.
“I had this conversation with Mahi bhai, asking ‘When should a player retire?”. He said, ‘First when you yourself get bored and second, Jab lage ki laat padne wali hai (when you realise that you would be kicked out of the team).’
“But the first and foremost thing is that when you stop enjoying the game, it’s a sign that your time has come. Better you choose the best moment to retire. Because your body starts intimating you if you can’t sustain a particular format. That’s when a player should call it time,” Shami added.
As per a report by the Times of India, there has been no communication from Dhoni regarding his future plans.
“Dhoni has not told anybody in CSK that he is quitting. He has told the management that he will wait for a couple of months before taking a final call. He did not feel any discomfort in his running between the wickets and that is a plus,” the leading Indian daily had reported quoting a source back in May.
