Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra on Thursday (24th March) said that by stepping down as CSK skipper MS Dhoni almost confirmed that he won’t play next season of the IPL.
In what was a surprise move for many, Dhoni handed over the reins of CSK to Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the IPL 15. The wicketkeeper batter has been one of the best captains in the history of the IPL.
He has led CSK to four titles in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021 and is one of the main reasons behind them being the most consistent team in the tournament. Being appointed captain of the franchise in 2008, Dhoni took the franchise to record nine IPL finals in the tournament history.
Dhoni captained the franchise in 204 games and made sure that CSK made it into the playoffs of all the seasons they had participated except in 2020, where they finished seventh. He won 121 games as a skipper with a 59.60% win record.
Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out that with his decision to step down as CSK skipper, MS Dhoni declared that ‘he’s no longer the king’ and almost hinted that he won’t play in IPL 2023.
"MS Dhoni has declared that he is no longer the king and he will now only be a person in the kingdom who'll serve the king. But the reality is that he is the king and the captain. He is the king of CSK. It is almost confirmed now that he won't play next year,” Aakash Chopra said.
Ahead of the IPL 2022 auction, CSK retained Ravindra Jadeja as their first pick for INR 16 crores. The outgoing skipper was the second retention for INR 12 crores along with Moeen Ali and Rurturaj Gaikwad being third and fourth retentions for INR 8 and 6 crores respectively.
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Chopra noted that Dhoni might have told CSK to not retain him at a higher price because the 'keeper-batter felt that taking a hug sum for himself would have made the team weaker.
"Earlier this year too, I'm sure he did not want the franchise to retain him as spending money on retaining him would not have made the team stronger, as he may not be there for next season. This is why he asked Jadeja to be the first retainee, as he might not stay if he is not given ₹16 crore,” he said.
The former Indian cricketer said that Dhoni will be on the sidelines and will only talk when someone will come to him for an opinion. He said that he’ll become ‘non-intrusive’.
"When MS Dhoni is not the captain, he becomes non-intrusive. He will only talk when needed or when you go to him. He's is not someone who'll walk up to you and impose his opinions. He prefers to be on the sidelines until someone walks up to him for advice," he said.
Aakash Chopra further said he’ll miss Dhoni waking out for tosses and his cheeky replies at presentations. He believes that the wicketkeeper batter will play a full season and won’t take a break.
“I'll miss him at the tosses and his comments during the post-match presentations. Even when the presenters ask tricky questions, he dodges them well with his words. I don't think he won't take a break and he will play all the matches,” he said.
CSK will begin their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhade Stadium on 26th March.
