IPL 2022: "I don't think Dhoni will play the full season," says Simon Doull while picking CSK's next captain

MS Dhoni had confirmed he will play his last IPL match for CSK in Chennai.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been in discussion since he led them to their fourth title victory. Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, had hinted that he is going to play the next season after the IPL 2021 win. 

But with a new cycle of IPL starting from 2022, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull feels Dhoni may not play the entire season next year, despite the franchise retaining him ahead of mega-auction.

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"When MS Dhoni decides to play his final game, Faf du Plessis will take over the captaincy in April-May next year. That's my thinking and I don't think MS Dhoni will play the full season. Faf du Plessis will take over from him. But there will be a home game where they will announce it will be MSD's last game and Faf will take over from there," Doull told Star Sports.

Recently at a felicitation ceremony in Chennai, Dhoni made it clear that he hasn't retired from competitive cricket and that he plans to have his farewell game in Chennai. 

Doull also named the players he believe CSK would retain ahead of the IPL 2022 auction. A franchise can retain a maximum of four players from their current squad.

"Ravindra Jadeja, he is Mr Chennai as well. He has got to be retained. What we saw from Ruturj Gaikwad, I think he must be retained. You don't want to let him go anywhere and the combination at the top of the order between him and Faf du Plessis," Doull added.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan partially agreed with Doull regarding retention from CSK squad. He said the franchise will look to retain one of their two England all-rounders in Moeen Ali or Sam Curran ahead of Faf du Plessis.

"MS Dhoni yes, Ravindra Jadeja yes, Ruturaj Gaikwad yes, we might see a future in him in terms of leadership. But Faf du Plessis is 37-years-old. But it will be either Moeen Ali or Sam Curran for me as the 4th retention. You don't want to let go of an all-rounder," Pathan added.

(With Star Sports Inputs)