MS Dhoni has been leading the Chennai Super Kings franchise since the inception of IPL in 2008. He has led CSK to a memorable title triumph in 2018 when the tournament made a blockbuster comeback in the IPL. CSK is undoubtedly one of the most consistent teams in the history of IPL. Therefore, when CSK endured its worst campaign last season, Dhoni came under the scanner of criticism.
“Definitely Not”pic.twitter.com/WtpKQ1J27f
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 1, 2020
It was the first time in IPL history that CSK failed to make it to the playoffs. Dhoni was heavily criticized for his form and poor strike rate. There were reports that he will announce retirement from IPL after IPL 2020, however, MS himself made it clear that he would not retire after IPL 2020.
Meanwhile, while Dhoni’s journey in IPL 2021 is all set to kick off from April 10, there were reports that IPL 2021 will be his last year in IPL.
However, CSK’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan has hinted that MS Dhoni is unlikely to end his IPL career after this year’s edition of the IPL. Recently, talking to the Indian Express, the CSK CEO stated he personally thinks that the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League is not going to be Dhoni’s last year in the cash-rich tournament.
Viswanathan also made it clear that the franchise isn’t looking for any other player as Dhoni’s replacement.
“See, I don’t think it is going to be his final year. This is my personal view and I don’t think we are looking at anybody now,” said Viswanathan.
Besides MS Dhoni, Kasi Viswanathan also talked about CSK’s China Thala, i.e, Suresh Raina, who is returning back to the IPL after a gap of two years. Raina had pulled out of IPL 2020 stating personal reasons.
Talking about him, CSK’s CEO said that though Raina doesn’t have enough match practice, he has been training hard with the team and is keen to do well in the upcoming tournament. He said:
“He played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. After that he has been practicing. He didn’t want to play a 50-over tournament (Vijay Hazare Trophy). (But) he has been practicing with us also for the last 10 days. He is very keen to do well. See, a player of his calibre who has done so much for CSK as well as the highest run-getter in the IPL for a period of the last 10-12 years (before Virat Kohli overtook him), he is very keen to prove himself,”
