I think MS Dhoni is going to retire from IPL cricket at the end of the year: Brad Hogg

Although Chennai Super Kings (CSK) owners and CEO have denied the news of their skipper MS Dhoni retiring anytime soon, the speculations have refused to die. To make matters worse the 40-year-old is not getting younger either and his hitting ability has waned over the years. But Dhoni is still, tactically, the best person going around in terms of leadership. And CSK might as well keep him as their captain.

During this year’s ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), the 40-year-old’s inspiring leadership and his way of marshaling his bowlers have enabled CSK to garner 16 points thus far. But cricketer-turned-expert Brad Hogg felt otherwise and said that IPL 2021 will be Dhoni’s last assignment for the CSK as a captain and as wicketkeeper-batter.

Hogg further opined that Dhoni may lose his spot due to batting, which has lacked the bite and rhythm he was known for having during his formative years with CSK and Team India. Also with the mega auction coming up in February 2022, CSK might have to shell out a huge amount of money to retain the services of their talismanic skipper.

“I think he’s going to retire at the end of the year from IPL cricket. The way he got out to (Varun) Chakravarthy the other day with the wrong un’, there was a huge gap between bat and pad. I think the reflexes of the 40-year-old are just starting to wane. His keeping has been sensational,” Hogg said on his Youtube channel.

“It’s good for Indian cricket and CSK that he is still going because of his leadership out in the middle. He’s keeping things calm and helped (Ravindra) Jadeja grow as a cricketer and developing youngsters as well. Just the way that he walked off, that body language, there was a glint in the eye that said I think I’ve just lost that sharpness,” he stated.

Hogg reckons MS Dhoni might move into a management role

The former Australian spinner also said that as Dhoni will be mentoring Team India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, he might possibly open a management position in the Super Kings’ setup.

“At the age of 40 and with the role that he’s got with the Indian Cricket Team going into that T20 World Cup, I think he’ll move into a management role or even the head coach of CSK,” Hogg added.