No doubt MS Dhoni will be retained by Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2021: N Srinivasan
In another good news for his fans, MS Dhoni looks all set to be retained by Chennai Super Kings for the 2021 edition of the IPL, as it was confirmed by N Srinivasan recently.
In Short
- He (MS Dhoni) will play. I can assure you: N Srinivasan
- Dhoni is currently training for IPL 2020 in his hometown Ranchi
- Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had also conceded that Dhoni could be part of India's plans for T20 World Cup
Whether he is playing or not former India captain MS Dhoni continues to make headlines with each passing day. After rumours of his retirement started circulating following his removal from the BCCI list of contracted players, Dhoni was seen back to training in Ranchi. The Chennai Super Kings captain is expected to play the IPL 2020 edition which starts in March. Amongst all this, former BCCI president and the current vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements (owners of CSK), N Srinivasan has confirmed that the 'Thala' will play for the same team in the 2021 edition as well.
"People keep saying when will he... how long will he play, etc. He will play. I can assure you. He will play this year. Next year he will go the auction; he will be retained. So there is no doubt in anybody's mind," Srinivasan was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo at a recent India Cements event.
After returning to training recently, Dhoni stunned Jharkhand coach Rajiv Kumar with his fluent batting even as the stumper started training for the first time since India's loss in the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup against New Zealand in July last year.
"I will be honest... I thought there will be a bit of rustiness as Dhoni has not trained for quite some time. The last time we had spoken, he had said that he would start in January and here you go. He is a man of his words and it came as no surprise that he was out there training with the guys just like any other regular Jharkhand player. But what surprised me most was how he middled almost every ball, be it in the pacer's net or the spinner's net. He even took throwdowns just like a player going through the batting drills does.
"I haven't had any talks with him with regards to the national team and him donning the India jersey again. But, his preparations for the next edition of the IPL has begun and while the senior team will be busy playing the Ranji Trophy game from Sunday, Dhoni will continue training till the time he is in Ranchi," the coach pointed.
India head coach Ravi Shastri had also told India Today recently that despite Dhoni remains in contention for the T20 World Cup despite not playing international cricket for quite some time.
"If he decides to play, which he will because he will play the IPL, then he will start with a very fresh mind and very clear ideas. Then you've got to see form. If he has a great IPL and puts himself into contention that 'I'm available for selection', then you don't fool around," Shastri had said recently.