Former India captain and Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has labored onerous within the off season to bulk up forward of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, which will get underway on March 31. Dhoni’s CSK will probably be up in opposition to defending champions Gujarat Titans within the opening match on March 31.
There is theory that Dhoni is likely to be taking part in his last season of the IPL in 2023 as he’s already 41 years of age already. However, former CSK teammate and Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes that Dhoni is likely to be match sufficient to play for 3 or 4 extra years.
Dhoni, also called ‘Captain Cool’ and ‘Thala’ in Chennai, has been a member of the CSK workforce for the reason that first IPL season in 2008 and has led the franchise to 4 titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021. Dhoni has additionally performed for the Rising Pune Supergiant from 2016-17. He was even part of the aspect which completed as runners-up in 2017 beneath Steve Smith’s captaincy.
“I heard that this is the last IPL of MS Dhoni but I don’t think so. MS Dhoni can continue to play for the next three to four years. He is still very fit and batting and wicket-keeping really well. His leadership is something that is as good as his game. His fitness and mind-reading of the game make him a good leader. His skills on the ground are awesome. He is one of the main reasons that CSK is successful,” Shane Watson was quoted as saying information company ANI.
Shane Watson scores an impressive half-century together with his signature aptitude in simply 30 balls, hitting 5 fours and three sixes! __@VisitQatar #LegendsLeagueCricket #LLCMasters #LLCT20 #YahanSabBossHain pic.twitter.com/1dSDijGtla
— Legends League Cricket (@llct20) March 11, 2023
Even former India and CSK teammate Suresh Raina felt Dhoni may be match sufficient to hold on in 2024. “Agle saal ho sakta hai wo (Dhoni) fir IPL khelein. Unka form achcha lag raha hai, batting achcha kar rahe hain. It all depends ke kaisa khelta hai this season. Kaafi challenging hoga, ek saal se tournament nahi khelein hai wo,” Raina stated after the match in opposition to the World Giants on Wednesday (March 15) evening.
Watson, who’s presently collaborating in Doha within the Legend League Cricket 2023, stated that it’s a nice expertise to share a dressing room with gamers like Jacques Kallis and Aaron Finch. “I feel so good to be here on the field and sharing dressing room players like Jacques Kallis, Aaron Finch and many more and this is a different kind of league that gives a next level to us and I am very happy to be part of this,” he added.
Individually, IPL 2022 was higher for Dhoni as a result of he scored his first fifty within the Indian Premier League since 2019, nevertheless it was nonetheless wanting the usual that he has set for himself. Last yr, the captain who has led CSK to 4 IPL titles amassed 232 runs at a strike price of 123.40 and a mean of 33.14.
