IPL 2022: 'Do CSK Want A Captain With 200 Runs At Strike Rate Of 128?' - Aussie Legend On MS Dhoni's Future In IPL

There were two things that upset Chennai Super Kings fans before the beginning of their last game in the ongoing 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) – will MS Dhoni be accessible for IPL 2023, and, if indeed, will he stay as the skipper.

While Dhoni did eliminate any confusion on the first, CSK are yet to settle on a choice on whether he will go on as the skipper next season. What’s more, saying something regarding the discussion, former CSK opener Matthew Hayden shared his opinion.

Matthew Hayden Not In Favour Of MS Dhoni Continuing The Captaincy At CSK Next Season

Addressing Star Sports before the beginning of the CSK-RR game at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, Hayden conceded that while it would be an “emotional decision” for the franchise to make given what Dhoni has conveyed as a leader.

The affection and backing gathered by the Chennai fans throughout the long term, assuming individual performances are an element than the 41-year-old doesn’t have a potential for success to lead the group next season.

Hayden further based his viewpoint by contrasting Dhoni’s numbers and that of Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson. He feels regardless of what Samson has conveyed as a batter, which is more than Dhoni, his performances have been questioned.

“It is a really tough one. It depends on what the franchise expects. If you want a captain who has scored 200 runs this season at a strike rate of 128, then no problem. He has still got power in the hands, he still has those reflexes behind the stumps, he has still got that great running between the wickets.

He is also the most experienced captain in the entire IPL and has got those titles behind his name and that team behind him as well. But as they sit to rebuild and re-structure, how much of that is going to be MSD’s contribution,” he said.

“If you look at his actual contribution then I would say there is no chance of playing on. Have a look at Samson, he has scored over 300 runs at an average of 30 and that is still questioned if it is a big enough contribution as a leader.

So these are the things that will be measured and it will be a very emotional decision. Listen to the crowd how the respond to him. And that is very important and that is why I fail to buy into this conversation.”

Sunil Gavaskar Wants MS Dhoni To Carry On

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar, who was there during the same discussion, went against Hayden’s words and felt that Dhoni ought to rather go on with his job next year as well.

“With the legend that MS Dhoni is, you just want him to go on and on. You cannot get enough of him, that is the thing. When Sachin retired, it was such a sad occasion, because suddenly we were thinking ‘Hello! From tomorrow we are not going to see him play!’ So a similarly I think for MSD we think we know he might be playing a few more matches next year and that is why we all want him to carry on,” he said.

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