Reports: MS Dhoni could also quit playing for CSK if they win IPL 2020

MS Dhoni, on 15th August, shattered the hearts of millions of fans after announcing his international retirement. Many anticipated Dhoni to end his career by playing the next T20 World Cup. However, after staying away from the sport for over a year, Dhoni announced that he has decided to bid adieu to international cricket.

After witnessing an end to Dhoni’s international career, fans started questioning as to for how long will Dhoni continue to play for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League. The 39-year-old is contractually supposed to play for CSK this year but nothing binds him from leaving the franchise before the next season commences.

As per a report in the Times of India, Dhoni could actually quit the sport entirely as a player with an IPL trophy in hand this term. “No idea where that one came from. But that’s MSD, isn’t it,” a senior CSK official told The Times of India.

“T20 World Cup would’ve been ideal, but considering that’s not happening now, he’ll want to walk away with an IPL trophy for CSK,” those tracking developments revealed.

MS Dhoni is associated with CSK since the inception of IPL

According to reports, Dhoni was looking to hang up his boots after this year’s T20 World Cup. However, the COVID-19 pandemic saw the showpiece event being postponed to 2022.

“That was the original plan. He would prepare for the T20 World Cup by way of participating in the IPL and then go forward from there. All of that got disrupted by Covid. The commercial arrangements were due to arrive at a certain inflexion point post the T20 World Cup and that would’ve eventually seen his exit anyway,” revealed sources.

Dhoni might take up the job in CSK management team if he decides to bid adieu to his playing career after the upcoming IPL season. Being associated with CSK since the IPL’s inception, Dhoni has deep knowledge about the functioning of the franchise. “MS can be expected to become part of the game’s administration at some level”,  revealed sources to the news outlet.

“All these years have allowed him to understand the game at multiple levels, from its operations and logistics to administration, the finances and all. He’ll be a ready product to take charge of the game’s administration at one level or the other, once he relieves himself from all cricketing responsibilities as a player,” the sources added.