Joginder Sharma: It’s time for Chennai Super Kings icon MS Dhoni to “rest”

Diu: Joginder Sharma, a former cricket player for India and the 2007 T20 World Cup champion, believes that Chennai Super Kings legend MS Dhoni should “rest.”

Chennai, a club with five championships and twelve postseason trips, was attempting to live up to its previous glory until it lost in the group round of the playoffs. Dhoni assumed leadership of the struggling CSK when designated captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was declared ineligible to compete in the competition.

Following a disastrous performance in the 18th season, the five-time winners fell out of the playoff race, sparking speculation over Dhoni’s future in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Dhoni’s family’s visit to Chepauk for Chennai’s match against the Delhi Capitals last month fueled rumors that he was retiring. The speculation was fueled by the 43-year-old’s decline in the batting order, particularly when Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that Dhoni is incapable of batting for “10 overs running full stick.”

Joginder, who saw Dhoni’s brilliant last over against Pakistan during the 2007 T20 World Cup, feels that the seasoned wicketkeeper should end his 18-year career in the lucrative league.

Joginder told the media outlet, “Given Mahi’s level of fitness, he should play up to prove his fitness, but I believe it is time for him to rest.”

After his final strokes helped Chennai defeat the reigning champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, earlier this month, Dhoni spoke about his retirement intentions. In the following six to eight months, he said, he would have to evaluate whether his body could withstand pressure.

“I have to put in a lot of training for another six to eight months once the IPL is done to determine whether my body can handle the strain. In the post-match presentation, he said, “I have no decision to make at this time, but the love and affection I have witnessed is outstanding.”

In the 18th season, Dhoni broke a number of records with his strength and lightning-fast reflexes with the gloves. He played in 420 Twenty20 matches, became the oldest player to win Player of the Match, won the most games as captain, and many more.

Dhoni played every game during CSK’s IPL 2023 victory. At the conclusion of the competition, he made sure his side won their sixth IPL championship by leading them from the front. To get beyond the problem he carried for most of the season, the former Indian captain had knee surgery at the start of this month.