"This is a question that only MS Dhoni can answer" - Parthiv Patel on CSK Skipper's retirement from IPL

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel recently opened up about the ongoing speculation about MS Dhoni’s retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Parthiv Patel emphasized that only MS Dhoni can provide clarity on his participation in the cash-rich league.

With the upcoming IPL season, discussions about Dhoni’s future have reignited. Speculation surfaced even before the last IPL season in 2023 commenced. Notably, Dhoni steered the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a record-equalling fifth IPL title in the previous edition.

Following knee surgery, Dhoni is currently in the process of regaining full fitness. The right-handed batter has scored 5082 runs in 250 IPL matches at an impressive average of 38.79 and a strike rate of 135.92. The 42-year-old batter has smashed 24 half-centuries.

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Only MS Dhoni Can Answer – Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel shared his views on the ongoing discussions regarding MS Dhoni‘s potential retirement, emphasizing that the decision ultimately rests with the former Indian skipper.

“Coming off to play once every 10 months, every time we end up talking about these two months being his (Dhoni) last of cricket…This is a question that only he can answer,” Parthiv told JioCinema.

In the triumphant IPL 2023 journey for CSK, Dhoni participated in 16 matches and recorded 104 runs with a notable strike rate of 182.46. Despite batting mostly in the lower order throughout the season, the veteran batter contributed a couple of impactful innings.

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End Up Struggling In The Tournament – Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel emphasized that this season will serve as a significant test for MS Dhoni’s batting skills. He cited examples such as Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, who faced challenges in the IPL due to their limited exposure to competitive cricket.

“Over the course of these sixteen IPL seasons, we have seen big names who have not played a lot of domestic or any other format of cricket, end up struggling in the tournament…We have seen it happen with players like Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist,” Parthiv added.

On Thursday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the schedule for the initial 21 matches of IPL 2024, spanning from March 22 to April 7. Further fixtures will be finalized following the announcement of the 2024 general election dates.

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Schedule for the IPL 2024

The defending champions will take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their first match in Chennai on March 22. CSK will host the IPL 2023 runners-up Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 26 before facing the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vizag on March 31. The team will then face SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Hyderabad on April 5.

Match 22 – Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – Chennai, 8:00 PM

March 26 – Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans – Chennai, 7:30 PM

March 31 – Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals – Vizag, 7:30 PM

April 5 – Chennai Super Kings vs SunRisers Hyderabad – Hyderabad, 7:30 PM

CSK Squad: MS Dhoni, Ajay Mandal, Ajinkya Rahane, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Mukesh Choudhary, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shaik Rasheed, Shivam Dube, Simarjeet Singh, Tushar Deshpande. Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Shardul Thakur, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Avanish Rao Aravelly.

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