Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the biggest names in Indian cricket. While the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper retired from international cricket in 2020, he has been going strong in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 41-year-old is nearing the end of his IPL career as well.
Speculation over his future in IPL has been rife with fans and pundits widely believing that Dhoni will retire after the ongoing 2023 season.
MORE: Latest IPL 2023 betting and odds
And fans have reciprocated that speculation by supporting him in great numbers. Every stadium and every city that the Super Kings visit has turned yellow. Crowds from far and wide have gathered to see Dhoni play one last time before the great man retires.
When will Dhoni retire as per Raina?
However, close friend and former colleague Suresh Raina has provided an update on Dhoni’s future. After the victory against Mumbai Indians at Chepauk last Saturday, what Raina has revealed would comfort all fans throughout the country.
Woh toh bol rahe hain mein trophy jeet ke ek saal aur khelunga (He said that after winning the IPL trophy, I would play one more year), said Raina.
But he's looking good and is batting well. Plus, there's a good team combination now and as many can see, there's always a Dhoni ki pathshala (the Dhoni masterclass) after the end of the post-game presentation ceremony, the southpaw added.
Dhoni has been talking to players (especially youngsters) from all the IPL franchises, giving them valuable advice. Raina also believes Dhoni should play for one more year and retire after IPL 2024.
MORE: IPL 2023: Date and TV schedule for T20 cricket tournament
Who will captain CSK after MS Dhoni?
Who will be the next CSK captain is another question doing rounds across all social media platforms. Over the past years, fans and critics have expressed their feelings regarding the same.
Suresh Raina believes that youngster Ruturaj Gaikwad is ready to assume responsibility as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings over the next two-three years. He is mature and bats with calmness.
Ruturaj has shown that he can perform extravagantly as a batsman. The right-handed opener won the Orange Cap (Leading run-scorer) in IPL 2021. In IPL 2023, Gaikwad has scored 384 runs in 10 innings, at an average of 42.67.
Ruturaj looks in a different zone when he goes to time the ball and wants to win the IPL Trophy for MS Dhoni. He thinks like a proper batter and a captain, asserted Raina.
