CSK vs PBKS: MS Dhoni Is Not Finished, He Is Still Fit - Mohammad Kaif

Former Indian player Mohammed Kaif said that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) talisman MS Dhoni isn’t finished with his career and still has the knack for playing big shots. Just ahead of the season, Dhoni stunned the cricket fraternity by announcing his decision to quit CSK’s leadership role after leading the team in 213 matches in 12 seasons.

Dhoni passed the baton to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who will have to absorb the pressure of carrying the legacy of his predecessor.

Is MS Dhoni on the verge of a 2.0 version?

In CSK’s first two games of IPL 2022, Dhoni displayed a glimpse of his older version of power-hitter, who would make the bowlers extremely restless with his batting aura.

Dhoni scored 50 off 38 balls against KKR to push CSK’s total to 131 in the first innings where he was involved in an unbroken 70-run stand with Jadeja. In the second game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the former CSK skipper pummelled 16 runs in six balls to take his side over the 200-run mark.

We might see the free-flowing MS Dhoni back: Mohammad Kaif

Kaif said that this year people will see the old Dhoni back throughout the tournament and is still fit to score big runs. The former Indian player also mentioned that Dhoni’s change in form could be the result of stepping down from captaincy.

“Dhoni is not finished, he is a finisher. People have said his time his over and this could be his last IPL, but look at how he has batted, remaining not-out in both innings. This year we might see the Dhoni that we knew who used to start hitting boundaries from ball one,” Kaif told Sportskeeda. 

“He has left the captaincy on paper and there may not be under much pressure. So we might see the free-flowing Dhoni who used to hit the ball out of the stadium. The conditions are good, Maharashtra have good wickets and he will get pace and the way he hit that first ball six, shows that he is in good form.

“You will never be able to know what is going on in Dhoni’s mind. If we talk about this IPL, there is a game after two days but Dhoni suddenly decides that Jadeja will be the captain. He is still fit and is scoring runs so it shouldn’t be a problem,” he added.

CSK will play against Mayank Agarwal-led Punjab Kings on Sunday at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Also Read: CSK vs PBKS: MS Dhoni Set To Become 2nd Indian After Rohit Sharma To Play 350 Games In T20 Cricket