Speculations are rife that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni will bring down the curtains on his professional cricket career with the conclusion of IPL 2023.
Amid the speculations, Dhoni has been receiving rousing reception from the fans every time he steps on the field. Be it the Chinnaswamy, Eden Gardens or the Wankhede, the chants of 'Dhoni Dhoni' have echoed in the stadiums.
Talking about CSK’s home ground Chepauk, fans are filling the stands in large numbers just to see Dhoni’s practice session. While the 41-year-old has teased the idea of his retirement on occasions, he has also hinted towards it at times.
Amid the speculations, former South African captain Graeme Smith remains hopeful that Dhoni will play for Johannesburg Super Kings in SA20 before his retirement.
“Yaa we would love to. I mean how good is MS! He certainly has a huge fan base in India but he is loved in South Africa as well. And he would be a huge asset for us to even have him as a mentor at SA20. That said, yes he has a very strong root with the Super Kings. But you know, at the end of his career, if he looks to turn on and play, then we certainly would. Definitely open with both ends. For me, it is just so good to see MS do so many things, particularly with the bat. His leadership and keeping is always good, but to see him back to the best of MS, walking out and smash those sixes,” Smith told Hindustan Times in an exclusive chat.
Dhoni seems to be at his destructive best in the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The CSK captain has scored 96 runs from eight innings at a remarkable strike rate of 204.25. He has faced only 47 balls while batting in the lower order, hitting 10 sixes and 3 fours.
“Dhoni has been an incredible servant for Indian cricket and Chennai Super Kings and its a credit to the man not only for the way he has performed but also for the way he has carried himself over the years. One of the most amazing thing about MS and I m shocked to see the level of fandom that he experiences and he is a humble man and is valuable to chat with,” Smith added.
