Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, and with it, speculation about whether this could be MS Dhoni’s last. However, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma has recently shared his thoughts, suggesting that the former Indian captain is fit enough to play many more seasons beyond 2023.
Rohit recently spoke at a pre-season press conference where he commented on Dhoni’s retirement rumors. “I’ve been hearing for the last 2-3 years that this is going to be MS Dhoni’s last season,” he said. “I think he is fit enough to play a few more seasons.”
Shane Watson, Dhoni’s former Chennai Super Kings teammate, also shared similar views on the cricketer’s future in the IPL. “MS Dhoni can continue to play for the next three to four years,” he told ANI. “He is still very fit and batting and wicket-keeping really well.”
Watson stated that he doesn’t think Dhoni is “going away anywhere” and that he’s still “fit enough to continue for another three years,” praising his excellent batting and wicket-keeping skills.
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Meanwhile, Sharma added that he’s been hearing rumors about Dhoni’s retirement for the past two to three years, but believes that he still has what it takes to play for several more seasons.
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The upcoming season is of particular importance to Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings fans, as the team will finally be playing in front of their home crowd after four long years. Many fans have speculated that this could be the perfect farewell for the CSK and Indian legend.
While Dhoni had hinted that IPL 2023 could be his last, he has also expressed his desire to thank the fans at Chepauk who have supported him and the team unconditionally. “It will be unfair to not play in Chennai and say thank you [to the fans],” he said. “Whether it will be my last year or not, that’s a big question, because you know we can’t really predict about something two years down the line.”
It remains to be seen whether Dhoni will retire after the 2023 season or continue to play. However, with the support of fellow cricketers like Rohit and Watson, it seems that Dhoni still has a lot to offer the IPL and the world of cricket. It’s clear that only time will tell whether Dhoni will hang up his cricketing boots after IPL 2023 or continue to grace the cricketing world with his presence for many more seasons to come.