'I have 8-9 months to decide, why to take that headache now' - MS Dhoni's practical reply on his IPL future

Ever since the start of the IPL 2023, almost everyone has been talking about MS Dhoni’s retirement from the league. In the previous year’s tournament, he had said that he and the team would come back stronger, and the skipper stood by his words as Chennai Super Kings became the first team to book their place in the tournament’s summit clash.

Chennai finished second on the points table and confirmed a clash against defending champions Gujarat Titans, against whom they had not won a single game. But the tables turned when CSK defeated GT in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2023, thereby confirming their ticket to Ahmedabad, where they will be playing either one of Gujarat, Mumbai Indians, or Lucknow Super Giants.

MS Dhoni, after winning the game against GT, involved in a conversation with Harsha Bhogle during the post-match presentation, where he was questioned about his future in the tournament, and if the Chennai crowd will get to see a glimpse of him again. Dhoni was quite practical with his answer as he said:

“I don’t know, I have 8-9 months to decide. The small auction will be around December so why to take that headache now. I have ample time to decide. I’ll always be there for CSK, whether it’s in playing form or sitting somewhere outside, I don't really know. Frankly, it takes a heavy toll, I have been out of home from January, and have been practicing since March, it takes a lot, so we will see, I have ample time to decide.”

IndianPremierLeague@IPL

The Chennai Super Kings Captain - MS Dhoni answers 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 question again 😉 #TATAIPL | #Qualifier1 | #GTvCSK | @msdhoni | @ChennaiIPL

12:23 AM · May 24, 2023

17.7K2.9K

Dhoni has been leading CSK since the tournament’s inception in 2008, and things surely will not be the same once he steps down. As of now, one can really not tell whether or not the 41-year-old, who will cross 42 by the next edition of the tournament, will participate or not. The wicketkeeper-batter played the entire tournament this year while nursing a knee injury and never sat out of the game. He will eventually take a decision keeping all the factors in mind.