IPL 2024 Trade: MS Dhoni will play full season for CSK if he is ready, says Anil Kumble

Former India captain and ex-head coach Anil Kumble said it will not be easy for MS Dhoni to get ready for Indian Premier League (IPL), considering his knee injury concerns and lack of match practice in the lead-up to the new season. Dhoni was retained by Chennai Super Kings who released as many as 8 players on the IPL 2024 retention deadline day on Sunday, November 26.

There was no surprise as MS Dhoni was retained by the 5-time champions after the World Cup-winning former India skipper led them to their fifth title in 2023. Despite having knee injury woes, Dhoni played throughout the season, playing all 16 matches. He hit just 104 runs but he struck at over 180, taking fans down the memory lane with some sensational late cameoes.

IPL 2023 Retentnion: Updates

Amidst retirement speculations after the IPL 2023 triumph, Dhoni made a heartwarming announcement that resonated with his fans and the cricket community. He expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming love and support he received from CSK fans, stating, “The easy thing for me is to say thank you and retire. But the amount of love I have received from CSK fans, it would be a gift for them to (see me) play one more season.”

After the season, Dhoni also underwent knee surgery due to pain likely caused by rigorous training for the IPL. The surgery was performed at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, and it involved a keyhole procedure for arthroscopic repair.

“I think last year was a classic example. We all know he was not 100 percent fit, but yet he managed to be at his best behind the stumps, in front of the stumps. You have time, but he has hardly played any cricket. It’s not going to be easy. He has undergone a knee surgery. He has to work hard, but he is someone who will not give you any clue about when he is going to leave. We have seen that with the way he left international cricket too. I am sure the fans and the players want him to go all the way. I am sure if he is ready if he makes himself ready, he will play the full season,” Anil Kumble told JioCinema.

‘HE HAS PROVED EVERYONE WRONG’

Meanwhile, former India opener Aakash Chopra also shared a similiar sentiment about Dhoni’s return in IPL 2024, saying that the former captain will be determined to play the entire season for CSK.

Notably, Chennai Super Kings released as many as 8 players, including Ben Stokes and Ambati Rayudu, and Chopra highlighted how the England Test captain went from a captaincy candidate for CSK in 2023 and pulled out of the next season of the IPL.

“I don’t think he will leave the season midway. He has proved everyone wrong, time and again. MS Dhoni will decide it himself. Last season also, there were concerns about his knee, he was struggling, but he managed to play. Last year, when Ben Stokes came, there was talk about him becoming the next CSK captain. But after a year, Stokes has left. Will it be Ruturaj Gaikwad?” Chopra said.

CSK IPL 2024 Retentions

Released players: Ben Stokes, Dwaine Pretorius, Bhagath Varma, Subhranshu Senapati, Ambati Rayudu (Retired), Akash Singh, Kyle Jamieson and Sisanda Magala.

Players retained in the squad are: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Ajinkya Rahane, Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary, Mitchell Santner, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Prashant Solanki, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Ajay Mandal.