IPL 2021: MS Dhoni-CSK Is Not Logical, It's Emotional: Aakash Chopra

Cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra said that Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni plays in the team just like a captain rather than a batsman.

MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2020 but continued playing for CSK in the IPL. The CSK leader has scored just 52 runs from seven innings at an average of 10.40 in the tournament so far.

In his previous innings against KKR, Dhoni failed to finish the game for his side as he was bowled by leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy in the 18th over.

CSK’s comeback and transformation is because of MS Dhoni: Aakash Chopra

Chopra credited Dhoni for the transformation of CSK after a poor season last year in UAE and sais the team will like to retain him in the next auction.

“He’s currently only playing like a captain and wicketkeeper because either he bats so down the order or not at all. Sometimes when he gets to bat, he isn’t able to do much. So the truth is that CSK is playing with 10 players and he’s there as a captain. But this is another interesting bit about Dhoni – this time can only be run by him,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

“CSK’s turnaround, the comeback and the transformation to the “Champion Super Kings” is only because of MS Dhoni’s captaincy. If he had not been there this environment would not have been created. So when the big auction arrives, maybe you want MS Dhoni on your side to make and run his team before moving forward to the future,” he added. 

MS Dhoni will stay for another year at CSK and try and run the team: Aakash Chopra

IPL 2022 auction will be a mega auction as the BCCI will be adding two more teams to the cash-rich league and each current franchise will be able to retain maximum three players. Chopra thinks MS Dhoni will be with CSK for one more year and will turn into a mentor after his playing days.

“If you look at it on the basis of form, his age, and the mega auction for a three-year term, they should not logically retain him. But Dhoni-CSK is not logical, it’s emotional. When you make an emotional investment, you see your kid as the most beautiful, the most talented human and that’s the kind of relationship they have,” Chopra said.

“I believe he’ll stay for another year and try and run the team because there are only six months between this IPL and the next. He’ll stay there like a captain for now and then probably become a mentor later, Mentor Singh Dhoni,” he added. 

CSK are currently leading the charts with 16 points and they play Kane Williamson’s Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.

Also Read: IPL 2021: MS Dhoni Is Going To Retire At The End Of The Year From IPL Cricket, Says Brad Hogg