Will Dhoni play all CSK matches in IPL 2024? Chris Gayle has his say | Ipl News
MS Dhoni’s bombshell announcement to relinquish his Chennai Super Kings captaincy on the eve of the IPL 2024 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru has paved the way for questions about his full-time playing role this season.
Dhoni handed over the reins of a franchise he has led for 14 seasons to win a record-equalling five titles to young batter Ruturaj Gaikwad. On Friday, Gaikwad led CSK to a six-wicket win against RCB at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on his captaincy debut with Dhoni playing an active role as the wicketkeeper.
The 42-year-old was later not required to bat as the CSK top-order ensured a clinical victory. With Dhoni taking a backseat in his batting and leadership duties, experts reckon that the former India captain may not feature in all matches, effectively grooming other players to take on the mantle of wicketkeeping and batting as a finisher.
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Gayle on Dhoni’s availability
“He (MS Dhoni) might not play all games. There may be a little break in between for him. that’s why the decision. But MSD will go well, don’t worry about that,” Gayle said on Jio Cinema ahead of the CSK-RCB clash.
READ: Gavaskar impressed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy
Since his international retirement in 2020, Dhoni has only competed in the IPL and led the Yellow Army to their fourth and fifth titles in 2021 and 2023 respectively. On Friday, Dhoni had also been the third oldest cricketer to play an IPL match behind Brad Hogg and Pravin Tambe.
Chennai recorded their eighth win in nine matches against RCB in Chennai on the back of a superlative bowling effort led franchise debutant Mustafizur Rahman. Rahman skittled the opposition top-order with figures of 4/29 as RCB posted 173 in 20 overs. In reply, cameos from Shivam Dube, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Ravindra Jadeja propelled CSK to a comfortable win.
Dhoni was an active presence on the field, picking up two catches while also effecting a runout off the last ball of the RCB innings.
