Former fast bowler Irfan Pathan said that he doesn’t think that the upcoming IPL 2024 will be MS Dhoni’s final IPL season. Dhoni is set to captain Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming season which is reportedly scheduled to begin in March this year.
MS Dhoni is 42 years old and he played the IPL 2023 with a knee injury. Dhoni underwent surgery right after the IPL 2023 concluded with him winning the sixth IPL title with CSK. Since then he has recovered and rehabbed at the JSCA facilities back home in Ranchi.
Speculation of Dhoni's retirement from IPL was rife last season too, but the Jharkhand hero doused rumors, saying he wanted to return to play for CSK at least another year and his decision would be a return gift to fans who have supported him for long.
Speaking at an event organized by Star Sports, Irfan Pathan highlighted the importance of MS Dhoni to the IPL and its popularity.
"Definitely not (Will this be his last season?). I met him about a month ago. He had long hair, he is growing his hair. He is going back to the old times and looking supremely fit. For a guy, who is past 40 and still looking so fit. I really hope for his sake, for his franchise's sake and all the fans' sake, he continues to play," Irfan said.
"I said it... obviously, it was over-the-top, even if MS Dhoni plays on one leg, people will still like to see him play," he added.
Pathan added that even if Dhoni retires, his association with the Chennai Super Kings and the IPL will continue in one form or another.
"If this is his last season, I really want him to go out on a high. I feel he will never go out of IPL, he will never go out of CSK. CSK is Dhoni, Dhoni is CSK. It's the same thing," Irfan added.
