In a much-anticipated announcement, MS Dhoni has confirmed that he will participate in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This news has brought immense relief to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), whose CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, expressed satisfaction with Dhoni’s decision.
“When he is ready, what else do we want? We are happy,” Viswanathan told Cricbuzz on Saturday, shortly after Dhoni expressed his eagerness to enjoy his remaining years in cricket. Speaking to the Times of India, Dhoni stated, “I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play. It’s not easy, but I want to cherish this time.”
Dhoni emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness for the rigors of the IPL, explaining that he has to stay in shape for nine months to be able to play the two-and-a-half-month tournament. “You need to plan it out, but at the same time, chill a bit,” he remarked, underlining his commitment to balancing professionalism with enjoyment.
While Dhoni’s decision to continue playing was largely expected, CSK officials had been awaiting formal confirmation. The franchise had anticipated hearing from him by October 28, and with his intentions now clear, CSK is set to finalize its retention decisions.
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Viswanathan revealed that Dhoni will soon speak with N Srinivasan, the franchise owner, to finalize the list of players to be retained. Dhoni, who will be categorized as an uncapped player, will impact the auction price by a mere INR 4 crore.
Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be the top retention, followed closely by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Additionally, Matheesha Pathirana is likely to secure the No. 3 retention spot after discussions with his manager last week. CSK is also considering retaining two out of Shivam Dube, Devon Conway, and uncapped player Sameer Rizvi.
As Dhoni prepares to return to Ranchi from Goa in the coming days, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the final retention decisions that could shape CSK’s strategy for the upcoming season.
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