Ravi Shastri Comes Up With A Big Statement Regarding MS Dhoni IPL 2024 Retirement

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni definitely rolled back the clock on Sunday at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Even though the defending champions ended up losing the game against Delhi Capitals (DC), the CSK fans were delighted to see Dhoni hitting some powerful blows towards the end. While coming on to bat at No.8, the swashbuckling right-hander smashed a blistering unbeaten knock of 37 runs off just 16 balls that included 4 fours and 3 sixes. However, the Chennai Super Kings suffered their opening loss in the ongoing edition of the T20 competition. CSK is currently slotted at the second position on the IPL 2024 points table. 

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, has shared his perspective on Chennai Super Kings' decision to transfer the captaincy ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League season. Shastri emphasized that this decision revolved around MS Dhoni's fitness level and the team's strategic requirements for the upcoming matches. He noted that Dhoni's role would be pivotal, allowing the opening batter to lead the team primarily, with Dhoni intervening as needed during critical junctures.

On Sunday, Chennai Super Kings faced Delhi Capitals in their third group stage encounter at Vizag's Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium. Shastri expressed confidence in CSK's approach and Dhoni's leadership dynamics, suggesting a balance where Dhoni's experience would complement the captaincy, especially in crucial moments.

“This is MS Dhoni’s last season, okay, very clear. You know, it depends on how his body copes with everything, whether he plays the whole season or doesn’t, only time will tell. But what he has done is that he said, I don’t want to give the job to Ruturaj halfway through the tournament,” Shastri said as quoted by News18.

“Be in the hot seat from the outside, I'm (Dhoni is) watching from the back, and if he (Ruturaj) needs some help I’m there to help him out, but I think as compared to the year when Jadeja was captain, MS will take more and more of the backseat and probably contribute just in a little way between the drinks break or something like that,” he added. 

Just before the start of the Indian Premier League 2024 season, MS Dhoni shocked the entire cricketing fraternity as he finally handed the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, the former CSK skipper is being seen giving some captaincy guidance to young Ruturaj so far during the first three matches.