On IPL 2024 Being MS Dhoni's Last, Ex-CSK Star's Honest Verdict

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has opened up on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) MS Dhoni‘s Indian Premier League (IPL) future. Dhoni, the joint most successful IPL captain with five titles to his name, will return to action after almost a year when the new season of the cash-rich league gets underway on March 22. In the opening match, Dhoni’s CSK will take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Dhoni has been out of action since the IPL 2023 final where CSK defeated Gujarat Titans to lift the title in Ahmedabad.

Before the start of every season, Dhoni’s future at CSK has been a huge topic of discussion, and the same has been the case ahead of IPL 2024.

Dhoni had undergone a knee surgery after the IPL final last year. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath, however, confirmed that the legenday India captain will lead the franchise in the upcoming season.

However, Parthiv feels only Dhoni can put an end to speculation about his IPL future.

“Coming off to play once every 10 months, every time we end up talking about these two months being his (Dhoni) last of cricket…This is a question that only he can answer,” Parthiv said on Jio Cinema.

Dhoni hasn’t played a competitive game since the IPL final as he is only active as a cricketer in the cash-rich league.

Parthiv feels that upcoming season will be a huge challenge for Dhoni due to his non-participation.

“Over the course of these sixteen IPL seasons, we have seen big names who have not played a lot of domestic or any other format of cricket, end up struggling in the tournament…We have seen it happen with players like Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist,” he added.

The schedule for the first two weeks and 21 matches of the T20 extravaganza was announced on Thursday with the MS Dhoni-led CSK playing two matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Chennai’s next home fixture would be a repeat of last year’s final with a clash against Gujarat Titans on March 26.