If IPL 2021 happens in the UAE, MS Dhoni will have to return in 2022: Michael Vaughan

Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan feels that a player of MS Dhoni’s class and calibre doesn’t deserve to finish his career, playing in front of empty stands. The last time when Dhoni played at a packed venue was in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. But at the time of his return after more than 14 months, the COVID-19 pandemic took charge all across the world.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), for the first time in its 13-year history, has taken place behind closed doors. The players and support staff are also staying in bio-security bubbles, one of the many precautionary measures taken in the global pandemic.

Going by the rising number of coronavirus cases in India, there’s a chance for the IPL to return to the UAE in 2021 as well. As per Vaughan, Dhoni should return for the 2022 edition and play at least one game before bidding adieu to cricket once and for all.

MS Dhoni cannot go out in front of no crowds, says Vaughan

“If the IPL takes place in the UAE next year again, which there are whispers it will happen, MS Dhoni will have to play another year. He cannot finish his IPL career in front of no crowd,” Vaughan was quoted as saying in Cricbuzz.

“He has to play at least one game the following year. He cannot go out in front of no crowds. If there is one player who deserves a big crowd to say goodbye to – if he probably cannot play, he would just disappear and say goodbye without us knowing about it – like he did in international cricket. But I want to see a grand crowd for his last game,” Vaughan added.

Earlier before Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) last league game against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dhoni said that he would be returning in 2021.

“Definitely Not,” Dhoni told to commentator Danny Morrison during the toss when he asked if this was his last IPL season. “(The jerseys) maybe they thought I’m retiring,” the veteran mentioned at the presentation ceremony.

CSK won six out of their 14 matches and ended at the seventh position in the points table. For the first time since the start of the IPL in 2008, the Yellow Army couldn’t make the final four.