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Dhoni, who turns 44 in July, is taking part in his 18th immediately IPL season
As Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 unfolds, all eyes are on MS Dhoni who continues to command celebrity standing in Indian cricket in spite of retiring from the world recreation in 2020.
Dhoni is still a key determine on this planet’s richest cricket league.
Along him are veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, tempo bowler Jasprit Bumrah, and rising stars like Shubman Gill, Yashaswi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant. They’re a few of the gamers who led India to 2 ICC titles previously 9 months – the T20 Global Cup in June and the Champions Trophy remaining month.
But it’s Dhoni who nonetheless instructions unrivalled consideration, along with his management and presence within the league proceeding to captivate lovers.
The cricketer, who turns 44 in July, is taking part in his 18th immediately IPL season, 16 of those representing Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK). He’s the oldest participant within the match this yr, although no longer the oldest to have performed within the IPL.
Australian spin bowler Brad Hogg was once 45 years and 92 days previous when he remaining performed within the IPL in 2016, representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Leg-spinner Pravin Tambe, the oldest debutant at 41 years and 212 days for Rajasthan Royals, performed his ultimate tournament in 2019 at 44 years and 219 days, capping an astonishing occupation.
Whether or not Dhoni will surpass Tambe and Hogg is still noticed. 3 seasons in the past, when he gave up the CSK captaincy, his retirement appeared drawing close. Closing yr, his rare appearances prompt the similar. On the other hand, CSK used the retention clause within the IPL mega-auction to stay Dhoni for the 2025 season as an uncapped participant, given his five-year absence from world cricket.
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Dhoni stays a large draw with lovers after retirement from world cricket
In 18 IPL seasons, Dhoni has scored 5,243 runs, striking him 6th at the all-time run record, these days crowned by way of Kohli.
His occupation batting moderate of 39.12 is upper than each Rohit Sharma and Kohli, and trails simplest David Warner (40.52) and AB de Villiers (39.70) amongst gamers with greater than 5,000 runs within the league.
Amongst gamers with over 5,000 runs, Dhoni’s strike fee of 137.53 ranks in the back of simplest de Villiers (151.68) and Warner (139.77).
In sixes, Dhoni (252) trails simplest Gayle (357), Sharma (280) and Kohli (272).
Those batting stats spotlight only one facet of Dhoni’s prowess. As a wicketkeeper, he boasts 180 dismissals (141 catches, 39 stumpings), a file unequalled by way of any person. His fast reflexes and deft glovework earned him the nickname “pickpocket” from former Indian trainer Ravi Shastri.
The “helicopter shot”, a flick-drive performed over mid-wicket with a wrist-flex of the ground hand, become the signature stroke of his batting brilliance.
The opposite notable facet of his batting was once his talent to keep an eye on the tournament, taking the innings deep, nearly to the tip, with a exceptional keep an eye on of nerves, and interspersed with explosive strokes. He additionally ran like a hare between wickets, making him India’s easiest match-winner in his top years.
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Dhoni’s velocity between the wickets made him India’s common match-winner in his top
Dhoni holds the file for many IPL suits as captain (210) and maximum wins (123), main CSK to 5 IPL titles and two Champions League titles.
He additionally captained India to a few ICC titles: the T20 Global Cup (2007), ODI Global Cup (2011) and Champions Trophy (2013).
Moreover, his affect in Take a look at cricket is immense, having performed 90 Exams and guiding India to the No1 ICC score earlier than his unexpected retirement mid-series in 2014-15.
Former Indian captains Sunil Gavaskar and Shastri have steadily hailed him as India’s greatest cricketer ever. Whilst that is open to discuss, that Dhoni belongs to the similar cluster as Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev is now extensively stated.
So what does the present season cling for him?
Advancing age has taken a bodily toll on Dhoni, although he stays mentally difficult and extremely aggressive. Closing season, he stepped clear of his finisher position, which he’d held because the league’s inception, and tailored his manner to offer precious cameos that might affect the result.
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Dhoni holds the file for many IPL suits as captain and maximum wins, main CSK to 5 IPL titles
With the affect participant rule – which permits groups to select an additional specialist batter or bowler in accordance with the sport state of affairs – now an integral a part of the IPL, Dhoni may just smartly settle into this position, whilst proceeding to be a sounding board for the captain and mentor to the squad in a non-designated casual means.
For CSK, protecting Dhoni within the squad is a no brainer. His attraction extends past CSK lovers, providing large business and branding advantages to each the franchise and the IPL. As CSK places it, an IPL with out Dhoni is “unthinkable”.
This will likely restrict alternatives for younger gamers, each Indian and in a foreign country, however Ravi Shastri dismisses this argument. “The league operates on free-market dynamics. Franchise homeowners don’t seem to be sentimental – they know what is easiest for them, off and on the sector,” he says.
In the meantime, former India opener Robin Uthappa, who performed below Dhoni for each India and CSK, warns competitors: “Write off Dhoni at your personal possibility. Shall we nonetheless see some previous magic.”
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