On the eve of the IPL 2024 opener, MS Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain, handing over the leadership baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who failed to take the team to the playoffs.

Despite struggling with a calf injury, Dhoni’s performance this season was remarkable as he amassed 161 runs at an average of 53.66 and a staggering strike rate of 220.54 across 11 innings.

While many experts believe that it was Dhoni’s last IPL season, the 43-year-old has kept his cards close to chest.

Meanwhile, a report published in Cricbuzz claims that Dhoni has spoken about his future with the owner of Chennai Super Kings, N Srinivasan. His future association with the franchise will depend on the number of retentions allowed by the BCCI.

If the number of retained players is five or six, Dhoni could feature in the cash-rich league. In 2018, the franchises were allowed to keep five players for the season, but it was brought down to four in 2022.

According to the report, the players likely to be retained by the CSK management include Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana and Shivam Dube.

If more retentions are permitted, Dhoni might turn up in the yellow jersey for another season else he may take up the role of a mentor.

A clear picture will come out after the BCCI’s meeting with the IPL team owners in Mumbai on July 31. Rupa Gurunath, N Srinivasan's daughter, will also be part of the meeting.

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)