Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran MS Dhoni might not have played his last IPL game just yet. CSK’s playoff hopes were dashed when they lost to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 27 runs in their final league game of IPL 2024.
Kaif highlighted the poignant visuals of a disappointed Dhoni sitting in the dugout as RCB players celebrated their victory. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter later walked off into the dressing room, and Kaif feels Dhoni may have the urge to come back once again and finish on a high.
Here’s what Mohammad Kaif told PTI about MS Dhoni:
“Personally, I don’t think he’s done. He could not win the game (last league match against RCB). In the last over, after hitting a six, he got out. You could make out from his body language that he seemed very disappointed not winning the game for CSK.”
While Dhoni will be turning 43 in July, Kaif believes that as long as the legendary wicketkeeper-batter can still strike the ball well, age isn’t a factor. Dhoni scored 161 runs in 14 games at an outstanding strike rate of 220.55 this season.
Mohammad Kaif on Shreyas Iyer’s Captaincy
Mohammad Kaif also shared his thoughts on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, emphasizing how it played a crucial role in KKR finishing at the top of the league phase. Kaif noted that KKR dearly missed Iyer’s captaincy in IPL 2023 when he had to sit out the season due to back surgery.
Kaif stated:
“He (Iyer) missed the whole IPL last year, and KKR probably missed his captaincy in 2023. The way he is changing the bowlers, and picking his playing XI, he looks very calm under pressure. In a tournament like the IPL, you have to be very composed, you have to know what’s happening in the game, and Iyer has come a long way. He has become a much better captain now.”
Shreyas Iyer and his team have made it to the IPL 2024 final and await the winner of the Qualifier 2 clash between the SunRisers Hyderabad and the Rajasthan Royals on Friday, May 24.
Will Dhoni return for another IPL season to chase glory, or has he played his final match in the iconic yellow jersey? And can Shreyas Iyer lead KKR to another IPL title? The drama and excitement continue to unfold as the IPL 2024 reaches its thrilling conclusion.