"Whatever last few years of cricket" he can play, MS Dhoni has stated, is what he wants to enjoy. Although Dhoni's availability for the 2025 Indian Premier League is still uncertain, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan expressed optimism last week that he would play in the following season.
Dhoni stated, "I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I'm able to play," during a Goa promotional event. "Just like how we used to go outside and play at 4 p.m. when we were kids, just having fun with the game." However, playing professional sports makes it harder to enjoy the game.
This year, Dhoni is eligible to be retained by CSK as an uncapped player, thanks to a reinstated IPL rule. The ten franchises must submit their list of retained players to the IPL by October 31, before the upcoming mega auction. This rule, which was reintroduced after being removed in 2021, stipulates that a player is considered uncapped five years after they retire from international cricket.
During the IPL 2024 season, Dhoni often batted lower in the order, coming out only to face a few deliveries. He explained that this decision was partly to manage his workload following knee surgery and provide more playing opportunities for younger Indian players.
"My thinking was simple: if others are doing their job well, why do I need to come up the order," Dhoni said. Sure thing!
1. "If you're talking about last year (season) specifically, the T20 World Cup squad was going to be announced soon.
If you're discussing last year (season), the T20 World Cup squad was set to be revealed soon.
we totally gotta give a shot to peeps who are hustlin' for their spot, ya know?
It's all about giving them a fair shake. In our team (CSK), we had a few. Jadeja was there, and Shivam Dube was there, so you give them an opportunity to prove themselves and get into the Indian team.
You, in our squad (CSK), we had a few. Jadeja was there, Shivam Dube was there, so you give them a shot to prove themselves to get into the Indian team.
1. There was absolutely nothing in it for me—no option, no extras.
2. There was literally zilch in it for me—no choice, no additional perks.
So I'm great when it comes to [playing in the lower order], and my team was pleased with my performance.
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"I love how teams are playing Tests now," Dhoni said.
Dhoni acknowledged that he enjoys Baseball. When asked if he liked this high-risk, no-fear style of cricket, he said he "loves" how Test cricket has become more result-oriented.
"You can give cricket any term that you want to; what we have seen is cricket has evolved," Dhoni stated.
Cricket is played differently now.
Something formerly considered a safe score in ODIs is also unsafe in T20s.
"Can you imagine explaining to someone who doesn't know much about cricket that we play for five days, starting at 9.30 and ending at 4.30? Sometimes, we play till 5 [pm], and we don't receive a result after five days.
The game would not benefit from that. I therefore adore that today's world is more results-oriented. The beauty of Test cricket is that it should remain that way; you want to have a result after five days, and you shouldn't have a draw.
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Even if we only play cricket for four days and one day is rained off, you still get a result."
