Global cricket still needs an icon like MS Dhoni to continue: Saba Karim

MS Dhoni retired from international cricket on 15th August 2020 but the cricket fraternity just can’t get over one of their favourite heroes. The most successful captain of India has a very high stature in international cricket and his mass fan following is well known. He will still be playing in the Indian Premier League and as per former Indian cricketer Saba Karim, it is good news for global cricket.

The 39-year-old Dhoni pulled the curtains down on his 16-year-old career after joining the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp before leaving for UAE. The Ranchi lad is leading CSK since 2008 and has a special bond with the franchise. The Yellow Army’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan had earlier indicated that their adored skipper is likely to play for CSK until 2022.

Now, as reported by India Today, Saba Karim has said that the stumper will enjoy his cricket more than before as he will be less burdened after bidding goodbye to international cricket. He also mentioned that Dhoni is fit enough to play for a few more years in IPL.

“He is very fit and I believe he is working very hard on it. Plus he has stopped playing international cricket so there will be less burden on his body,” Saba Karim said. “Global cricket still needs an icon like MS Dhoni to continue,” he added.

MS Dhoni played an instrumental role in kick-starting the IPL, says Karim

The former cricketer also expressed that the CSK skipper played a huge role in IPL to kick start in 2008. He mentioned that India’s win in the inaugural T20 World Cup played a vital part in IPL to become such a big event. Notably, India won the 2007 WC under Dhoni. India had just played a single game in the T20 format before the mega event and the wicket-keeper led a very young side to the victory in South Africa.

“Dhoni played an instrumental role in kick-starting the IPL because of the way he brought a different dimension to the shorter format of the game because of his aggressive side with the willow. Also with his calm exterior behind the stumps,” Karim said.

The former Indian skipper is in UAE for IPL 2020 and will be leading CSK in the upcoming extravaganza and they will play their first game against Mumbai Indians. CSK have been struggling since the day they have reached in UAE. Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, their two senior players, have pulled out of the tournament due to personal reasons.