‘It doesn’t seem like this will be his last season’ – RP Singh & Suresh Raina discuss MS Dhoni’s future beyond IPL 2024

MS Dhoni. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

The 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is gradually nearing its halfway stage and fans have already witnessed some exhilarating action. The iconic MS Dhoni has turned up to play his 17th IPL season and he has been churning out some fine performances with the bat as well as with the gloves so far for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

After undergoing knee surgery last year, there were clouds of uncertainty over Dhoni’s participation in IPL 2024. However, he showed tremendous grit and determination to regain full fitness and get back onto the pitch to play what is expected to be his last season as a professional cricketer. However, the 42-year-old hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down as he has played some fine cameos lower down the order for CSK and also turned back the clock with his unmatched skills behind the stumps. After such consistent performances, fans have started wondering whether the former India skipper can play beyond IPL 2024.

Former India teammates of Dhoni, RP Singh and Suresh Raina, were asked during a commentary stint whether they felt that IPL 2024 was the legendary wicketkeeper-batter’s swansong.

“It doesn’t seem like this will be his last season,” said RP Singh, who was a part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning side in 2007, during commentary for JioCinema.

Singh would turn to Raina after this and ask him about his opinion on the subject. The southpaw, who was an integral part of India’s ODI World Cup-winning squad in 2011, agreed with the former left-arm pacer and asserted with a one-word reply that Dhoni would play next year’s IPL.

“Khelenge (Will play),” said Raina, who spent several years playing under Dhoni for the Men in Yellow.

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MS Dhoni’s excellent contributions to CSK in IPL 2024

The talismanic cricketer handed the captaincy of CSK to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the season. He is playing as a specialist wicketkeeper-batter but is seen guiding the young captain now and then on the field.

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In four innings in IPL 2024, Dhoni has smashed 59 runs off just 25 balls at a strike rate of 236. He has belted four fours and six sixes so far. Dhoni is yet to be dismissed in the tournament. Chennai are positioned at No. 3 on the points table, with four wins and two losses from six games. They will face Lucknow Super Giants on Friday, April 19.