MS Dhoni can play the IPL next year as well: Suresh Raina on the CSK captain

With the Indian Premier League returning to its old ways of home and away fixtures for each of the 10 franchises, there have been speculations among the Chennai Super Kings lot. Will it be the last dance for their captain from season one, Mahendra Singh Dhoni?
With Dhoni having said previously that “it will be unfair to not play in Chennai and say thank you”, will 2023 mark the last IPL outing for one of its most successful players and captains, who bid adieu to international cricket back in 2020?

Former India and CSK teammate Suresh Raina believes otherwise. The all-rounder who’s currently playing for India Maharajas at the Legends League Cricket was recently asked if he felt Dhoni could join him in the league comprising of former cricketers come the next season?
“I wish he could, but we’ll have to see what his commitments are,” Raina said. “He can play the IPL next year as well, you never know.”
He further opened up, “He’s been batting well and looking fit, it depends on how the performance is this year. It may be a little challenging since him and (Ambati) Rayudu haven’t played the tournament since one year. I think the team is quite strong, a lot of young players are coming through the ranks. (Ruturaj) Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), (Ben) Stokes, Deepak Chahar…and there are more young and dynamic players in that side. Let’s see how they play.”

In came the ‘does Dhoni pick your phone call’ question. “He picks, we stay in touch (laughs). Haa…jamke practice kar rahe hai (yes, he’s been practicing really hard), you must have seen the videos of him (on CSK social media handles). The way he is playing the big shots (in the nets). I hope he does well and makes them win.”
Raina last featured in the IPL during the 2021 season, which CSK went on to win. A fourth trophy for them under the captainship of Dhoni.