Dhoni says “yes”

Call it sustaining longevity or the burning desire to keep excelling, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has made it amply clear he will continue to play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

At the toss on Sunday in the UAE, when CSK were playing their last league match in this edition of the Dream 11 IPL, Dhoni, a man of few words, made it clear to Danny Morrison he was not going to hang up his boots in IPL soon.

This news, coming as it were on the back of CSK’s mediocre showing this time in the IPL, means Dhoni has the backing of his own franchise as well as wanting to play himself.

The backlash against CSK, a fortnight ago, when they played below par, was palpable. However, with the pressure off, Dhoni and his team started playing positive cricket with a few players like Ruturaj Gaikwad staning out. His knock, on Sunday, against King’s XI Punjab was decisive.

Back to Dhoni, rarely has the man been open about his plans. Be it when he shone with the bat and the gloves, Dhoni had kept all guessing. He has never played any games with the media nor did her every to chose to speak to a “select few.”

Perhaps, it is this facet of Dhoni which has won him great admiration. There is no doubt the man has been selfless in his approach. As of now, Dhoni making himself available for the 2021 IPL means the franchise can breathe freely.

It is well known the process of reconstruction, so to say, will not be easy. There have been hits swipes a few former top cricketers that CSK will be the first to hit the auction table whenever it takes place.

Maybe, CSK itself is not pressing the panic button and has accepted the fact that IPL 2020 was not good for them.

For those who have followed Dhoni’s career, he has never craved for publicity as a leader and a player. Even when India won the ICC World Cup in 2011 in Mumbai, he was not clinging onto the trophy.

It is easy to be critical of him but when compared to his predecessors and current captain Virat Kohli, Dhoni stands out as a leader who has always believed in the “process.”

And if that “process” is going to continue for CSK and with CSK in the IPL, one should not be surprised if he still persists with some oldies. Watch out for more developments.