Let’s get this clear. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is undoubtedly the most prolific IPL captain ever. Under his able leadership, CSK has won three IPL titles, making it to the playoffs 11 out of 12 times. The Whistle Podu Army had MSD the batter as its X-factor for about a decade.
But it’s all going down now. The King Of Kings at CSK has played 14 games thus far and although the team has finished 2nd during the league stage with 9 wins, MS the batter hasn’t fired. He’s barely played a good knock and has only scored 96 runs at an average of 13.71. A quick look over his latest comment confirms that ‘The Finisher’ is signaling that his time between the 22 yards may be up.
MS Dhoni is not sure about his retention
CSK’s social media handles have recently put out a post regarding what MSD has to say about his IPL future and what he has spoken has broken millions of hearts.
“You will see me in yellow next season but whether I’ll be playing for CSK, you never know. There are a lot of uncertainties, two new teams are coming up(next season), we don’t know the retention rules and so on,” says Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"You'll see me in yellow next season but whether I'll be playing for CSK you never know. There are a lot of uncertainties coming up, two new teams are coming, we don't know what the retention rules are and so on." – THALA#CSKvPBKS #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/FwfctwMSNo
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) October 7, 2021
MSD’s future and the retention policy
The aforementioned comment by our World Cup winning captain clearly shows he’s concerned about next year’s mega auction. No one, not even Mahi knows how the new rules will impact the giants of the game.
But if rumors are to be believed, the mega auction will allow the retention of only two capped Indians and one foreigner. Two RTM Cards (Right To Match Cards) may also allow the franchises to match the highest bid by other teams to re-buy their own players (one foreigner and indian each).
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been red-hot this season and is 2nd in the race to win the Orange Cap. ‘Sir Jadeja’ has donned the finisher’s role better than anyone else, even Vintage MS. He takes crucial wickets and runs through his overs quickly. Then he’s an absolute live-wire in the field too. If only 2 Indians are to be allowed for retention and franchises having to shell out at least 10cr for each of them, retaining Dhoni over Jaddu and Rutu won’t be financially wise. Not to forget Chinna Thala i.e. Suresh Raina. See the complications?
ALSO READ: ‘Stay away from social media’ – MS Dhoni’s advice to Ruturaj Gaikwad
Dhoni to take up a new role at CSK?
If CSK doesn’t retain MS, he’ll have to go into the auction pool. If he goes into the auction pool, he’ll go for a huge amount and CSK using RTM for him will be an impossible task. Plus, Thala is now Chennai’s unofficial son. They won’t part ways. Not possible.
So what’s the only and highly likely outcome that’s possible here? Answer- Mahendra Singh Dhoni as CSK’s head coach/mentor. This will keep the fans happy, Mahi fulfilled and serve the team well. Taking personal emotions out of it, Thala will finally have time to spend with family and start a new chapter in his ever-happening life. “You’ll still see me in yellow next season but I may not be playing for CSK again…” You can sense there’s only one way it’s gonna go. Probably.
