MS Dhoni's IPL 2025 return anticipated as Mohammad Kaif drops colossal "not done" statement
Updated - 24 May 2024, 06:58 PM
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Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes MS Dhoni has a future in the IPL beyond IPL 2024, CSK lost to RCB in their final league game to finish fifth on the points table.
CSK won and lost seven games each to finish fifth on the points table. Once a consistent CSK lost too many easy games this season. Their loss especially against RCB in the final league game gave a glimpse of their players playing under pressure.
MS Dhoni who played another year in the IPL with a knee injury batted at number seven or below throughout the IPL season. He ended the season with 161 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 220 and an average of 55. He almost won the game for CSK against RCB as he scored 25 off 13 balls but just could not take his tea over the line.
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif said that MS Dhoni has a future in the IPL beyond 2024 and that he is not finished yet. he further said that his body language after he was dismissed in the last over was a big hint that he might not be finished.
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MS Dhoni Looked Disappointed After Losing To RCB: Mohammad Kaif
"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 seeing his body language that he seemed very disappointed not winning the game for CSK," Kaif told PTI.
"Why he should not come back? He is fit, he is scoring runs and hitting sixes, and there's no reason to stop playing... it's up to him, we can't say with Dhoni what's his plan" he further said.
Kaif further praised the KKR team and their skipper Shreyas Iyer and attributed the team's success this year to his leadership qualities. KKR entered the final for the fourth time with Shreyas scoring an unbeaten 54 in the first Qualifier against SRH.
"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," opined Kaif.
Kaif further said that Iyer has led his players from the front once he crossed the rope and with Gautam Gambhir not with him on the field.
"We always talk about (Gautam) Gambhir, but he can't enter the field... in the rope with the players. Iyer has been there with the players and it will help him grow as a person and player. He missed out on the (T20) World Cup this year (beginning in the US and West Indies next month), but certainly it's great learning for him, captaining the team, leading it to the finals. He has a great future ahead," said Kaif.
The former Indian cricketer said KKR are favorites to win the title given the consistency with which they have performed throughout the season. They will face either RR or SRH in the final on Sunday.
