Former India cricketer MS Dhoni has not been the batter he was a few years back in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021). The wicket-keeper batter had his worst tournament last year (IPL 2020) as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper scored only 200 runs from 14 games.
While it seems Dhoni had a pretty terrible IPL last year with the bat, the numbers reflect a similar story this year around as the Ranchi-based cricketer has managed only 66 runs from 12 games in IPL 2021.
As a mega auction is scheduled ahead of IPL 2022 and all the teams are allowed to retain only three players, there were multiple doubts regarding Dhoni turning up for CSK next year.
But the former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn feels the 40-year-old right-hand batter despite a poor IPL with the bat, will still return for the Chennai-based franchise next year.
“He is the boss of Chennai. When you think Chennai, you think MS Dhoni. And you know what? They've got a couple of games left and they are already into the finals. But we haven't see Dhoni do anything. If he smashes the winning runs in the final, you can guarantee that he will be taking the gloves for Chennai in next year's IPL,” Steyn told ESPNCricinfo.
After a disappointing IPL 2020 where CSK were languishing at the bottom of the table, MS Dhoni and Co. have made a stellar comeback in IPL 2021 as they became the first team to qualify for playoffs this year.
Even though Dhoni is struggling with the bat and is not the finisher he was a few years back, his captaincy is still at its best as the right-hander has led CSK to the top of the table with 18 points in 12 matches played.
(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)
