"What are you doing?"- Anil Kumble on MS Dhoni

Former Indian cricket captain Anil Kumble believes that MS Dhoni will continue playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next few years. Anil Kumble also drew parallels between MS Dhoni and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

MS Dhoni led the Chennai Super Kings to their fifth title in the last edition of the prestigious tournament. Recently, the charismatic CSK leader arrived in Chennai ahead of the upcoming season of the IPL, causing a stir on the internet with his grand entrance.

Never Played With MS Dhoni In The IPL – Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble reflected on his experience with MS Dhoni, highlighting how his camaraderie left a lasting impact. Kumble admired Dhoni’s dedication, exemplified by his presence at optional practice sessions, even in his hometown of Ranchi.

“I never played with MS in the IPL. When I played with him in the Indian team, he was the first one to lift me up. I guess he was the strongest of the lot to lift a heavyweight. It was a fantastic moment for me,” Kumble said.

“I remember, when I was a coach and he was the captain, we were in Ranchi for a one-day game, for an optional practice session, he didn’t need to come as Ranchi is his hometown. But he was there for the session. I said, ‘What are you doing? We still have a couple of days before the next game.’ He said, ‘No, I just want to be around.’ That’s him,” he added.

Anil Kumble didn’t play in the IPL with Dhoni, but they were teammates for the national team. Kumble served as India’s coach during Dhoni’s captaincy. He shared the dressing room with Sachin Tendulkar in the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp while acting as a mentor.

Kumble led RCB to the IPL final in 2009 before joining the Mumbai Indians as their chief mentor in 2013. During his three-year tenure in Mumbai, the team won both the IPL title and the Champions League in 2013, followed by another IPL championship in 2015.

Sachin Tendulkar Was The Name – Anil Kumble

The 53-year-old drew a comparison between Dhoni and Tendulkar, highlighting their shared passion for the game. Kumble recounted how both players, despite their extensive careers, showed unwavering commitment to the sport.

“Sachin was the same. When I was with Mumbai Indians, Sachin had played around 25 or 26 years of cricket. But on optional days, he’d be the first one to be in the bus. These two guys, I don’t think can take a break. I won’t be surprised if MS continues to play for CSK, because that’s his optional session. He’s so passionate, he wants to be there,” Kumble added.

CSK has commenced their pre-season training with key players such as Deepak Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and others joining the camp. The team’s first match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is scheduled at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 22.

In the 2023 campaign, Dhoni scored 104 runs in eight innings at an impressive strike rate of 182.46 and hit 10 sixes. Additionally, he reached the milestone of 5,000 runs in the cash-rich tournament during the same season.

Also read: “Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni aren’t even playing, they’re just walking..”- Jos Buttler