TIME TO RETIRE? Explore the reasons why MS Dhoni, despite his legendary contributions to Indian and IPL cricket, should consider retirement as his performance lags in the twilight years of his illustrious career. Picture: Sajjad Hussain/AFP
Image: Sajjad Hussain/AFP
He may have led India to three Cricket World Cup titles, but for 43-year-old Indian cricket legend MS Dhoni, it’s about time he hung up his willow.
Besides his exploits for India, the wicketkeeper-batsman is also an Indian Premier League great in his own right.
As the skipper of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dhoni led the team to 10 finals in the first 14 editions of the IPL.
Of those 10 finals, CSK were victorious in five editions (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023).
Dhoni also ranks as the third most popular Indian cricketer ever, behind only Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Dhoni played his last Test match for India in 2014, and five years later, called time on his international career as he walked away from the limited overs formats.
It allowed Dhoni, who was nearing 40, the chance to focus on the IPL in the twilight of his career.
However, that twilight keeps being extended mostly due to his reputation as an Indian cricket great and not his continued performances.
As a wicketkeeper-batsman, Dhoni now comes in at number eight and certainly the lowest batting position an all-rounder can occupy.
In fact, in his last two seasons for CSK in the IPL, they have been decidedly average if you consider how low Dhoni is batting.
In 14 outings in 2024, Dhoni managed 161 runs with eight not outs and a highest score of 37 not out. His average stood at a flattering 53 as he was unbeaten on so many occasions.
In 16 matches in 2023, Dhoni scored 104 runs from 12 innings, with eight not outs again and a highest score of 32. His average, therefore, was 26.
In 2022, Dhoni had his last decent showing with the bat with 232 runs from 14 matches with six not outs with a top score of 50 unbeaten.
Over the weekend, guess what? Dhoni ended unbeaten batting at eight, before he could score any runs as CSK eased to victory over Mumbai Indians in their opening match of the new season.
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