‘If MS Dhoni plays on one leg…’: Irfan Pathan adds a ‘certainly not’ spin to the CSK captain’s IPL retirement remarks
Retired Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels that cricket star MS Dhoni is ‘absolutely not’ finished with the Indian Premier League (IPL). The most-capped player in the league’s history, former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will lead his team once again as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) attempt to retain the championship. Last season, the Yellow Brigade lifted the renowned trophy for a record-tying fifth time, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT), the 2022 winners, in a thrilling final-ball match.
Dhoni was reaffirmed as the captain of the Chennai-based team countless times during the preseason. Prior to the mini-auction, the five-time winners revealed the retention list and designated Dhoni as their captain. Ahead of the IPL 2024 auction last year, Dhoni’s CSK parted ways with both New Zealand bowler Kyle Jamieson and England all-rounder Ben Stokes.
Irfan adds a “definitely not” twist to Dhoni’s retirement remarks.
In response to the question of whether the 2024 season would be Dhoni’s last IPL season, former CSK player Pathan cited MSD’s famous retiring statement. “Absolutely not (in reference to Dhoni’s last IPL season in 2024). He and I had met around a month before. His hair was long and he was growing it out. He seems very fit and is returning to the past. I really hope that he plays for the sake of himself, his team, and the fans as a person who is beyond 40 and yet in such good shape, Pathan said to Star Sports.
Before the 2024 IPL, Dhoni warms up
Dhoni has begun his IPL 2024 preparations. The captain of CSK was seen striking the nets with his brand-new bat, which had a sticker reading “Prime Sports.” The CSK captain, using his IPL willows to promote his boyhood friend’s sports firm, made the sticker the talk of the town. Adam Gilchrist, a great cricket player, has had a remarkable response on Dhoni’s new bat sticker.
“Should Dhoni play with one leg”
“People would still prefer to watch Mahendra Singh Dhoni play, even if he only has one leg. I truly want him to finish on a positive note if this is his last season. He won’t ever leave the IPL. He won’t ever leave CSK. Dhoni plays for CSK. CSK is Dhoni. No difference exists,” Pathan continued. In the lucrative league, Dhoni is the only player with a record 250 appearances. The 42-year-old has accumulated 5082 runs at a 38.79 average. Throughout his illustrious IPL career, Thala Dhoni has struck 24 half-centuries.
