Chennai Super Kings wrapped up their IPL season with a win against Gujarat Titans. The team, led by MS Dhoni, lost 10 matches and was the first to be eliminated from playoff contention. As Dhoni took the field for the toss, many wondered if this was his last game as a player. When asked about his retirement plans, Dhoni said he’s eager to head back to Ranchi and has plenty of time to think about his future.
The team’s performance this season was underwhelming, with 10 losses in 14 league matches. Dhoni, a five-time champion, didn’t quite live up to expectations, failing to finish games on several occasions. Former cricketer Murali Karthik thinks it’s time for Dhoni to retire from the IPL, saying some things must come to an end.
Karthik shared his thoughts on a podcast, “The world loves Dhoni, and we don’t want some things to end, but they do. Sometimes, you don’t want a shock, right? Sometimes, you don’t want the people you love to say goodbye, especially after a long time together.” He added, “Whether it’s Dhoni or someone else, just think about it.”
When asked if Dhoni could captain the team next season, Karthik said the captaincy role now belongs to Ruturaj Gaikwad, and he should be given time to make the team his own and get used to leading. “I don’t think they’ll take the captaincy away from Gaikwad and give it to Dhoni,” he said.
Life After Dhoni
The question of who’ll fill Dhoni’s shoes in the team often arises. Karthik believes it’s a big responsibility and that players should be given the chance to create their own identity. “You can’t ask everyone to replace Dhoni. Each player must forge their own path, learn, and grow during the game. Instead of trying to replace Dhoni, players should focus on building their own reputation.”