IPL 2022: He Might Return As A Mentor Or As The Head Coach - Shoaib Akhtar Says Of MS Dhoni's IPL Future With CSK

MS Dhoni could come back as a player and captain for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) next IPL campaign, according to former Pakistani bowler Shoaib Akhtar. If not as a player, he said, the renowned keeper-batter can even serve as a mentor or head coach.

Chennai has had a terrible IPL 2022 season thus far, winning only four of their 12 games. The captaincy dispute has hampered their performance.

The captaincy was given over to Ravindra Jadeja at the beginning of this season, but Dhoni was renewed midseason.

CSK will now focus on constructing a young squad now that its playoff aspirations have faded. On the future role of the great Dhoni for the team, Akhtar told Sportskeeda:

“He can, of course, play next season if he wishes to.” If he doesn’t like to come here anymore, he can rejoin as a mentor or even as the head coach. That would have been an excellent part for him. Everything hinges on Dhoni’s performance. He is a valuable asset. He’s either with or in the team.”

‘The time has come for a few players’: Shoaib Akhtar

When asked if he thinks Dhoni will announce his IPL retirement after this campaign, Shoaib Akhtar said no one understands what’s happening in the former Indian captain’s head. He said this:

“Dhoni might just perform another song and call it quits.” One can never tell what he will do. He’s just that type of person. He will resign if he unexpectedly feels compelled to do so. To be honest, a few players’ time has finally come. In franchise cricket, there are no ifs and buts,” Shoaib Akhtar Added.

With a social media post that included a video of his India career and a popular Bollywood song playing alongside it, Dhoni announced his departure from international cricket in 2020.

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