‘There is no reason why he cannot keep going’ - Mike Hussey sheds light on MS Dhoni’s potential retirement post IPL 2023

With legendary Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni’s potential retirement up in the air, batting coach Mike Hussey voiced his stance on the regard. Hussey, who had previously played alongside Dhoni, believed that contrary to the speculations, the latter could still continue with the yellow outfit. 

At 41, Dhoni is running the final lap of his professional career and many have deemed the 16^th edition of the Indian Premier League to be his final season in the top-tier league. However, CSK’s batting coach Mike Hussey stated that the skipper appears in great touch and that he couldn't find a reason why he should not continue beyond the current season.

"That is the thing we have not spoken about. Whether he is playing his last IPL or not only he knows. We have no idea. He is hitting sixes and finishing off games. From my point of view as a batting coach, he is still batting really well. He is still motivated to keep coming into the training and working on his game, he is hitting the ball well,” Hussey told in a pre-match conference.

“We have seen him lighting up the innings and finish things off really well. He has still got that six-hitting ability. So, while he is enjoying it and still contributing to the team, then there is no reason why he cannot keep going, maybe for another 5 years (chuckles)... we do not know it is all up to MS,” he added.

In the limited opportunities Dhoni got with the bat, the skipper has displayed lethal hitting prowess on certain occasions to take rival teams by storm. In 12 matches, the 41-year-old has collected 98 runs at a stunning strike rate of 196.00.

CSK eyeing Qualifier-1 berth with win against DC

Speaking about their campaign, the CSK are placed second on the IPL Points Table with 15 points in 13 matches, with a solid Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.381. MS Dhoni and Co. will be gunning to win their final group fixture against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, May 20, so as to obtain a berth in Qualifier 1 of the playoffs. 

Chennai will lock horns with DC in the afternoon game on Saturday, May 20 at the latter's backyard in Delhi. A win in that fixture would ensure CSK a playoff berth and provided Lucknow Super Giants don't win their last clash by a big margin, CSK would enter into the playoffs as the second-placed side.