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Is MS Dhoni’s decision to play for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 the right move?

MS Dhoni brushed aside speculations that he was retiring from the IPL after the end of the last game against Kings XI Punjab.

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Chennai Super Kings will have MS Dhoni at the helm in IPL 2021 after he brushed aside rumors of his retirement in the final game against Kings XI Punjab.
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“Definitely not.” At 15:04 PM IST, when Danny Morrison asked MS Dhoni the question whether he was playing his last IPL game in Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab at the Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi, this was the answer given by MS Dhoni. In two words, all the speculations were put to rest. In two words, millions and billions of Chennai Super Kings and cricket fans heaved a major sigh of relief. All the speculations, which had grown ever since MS Dhoni handed out his jerseys to players after the end of every game, was officially put to rest. MS Dhoni will be part of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 as the franchise aims to rebuild after a poor season.

IPL 2020 has seen Chennai Super Kings and their ‘Dad’s Army’ been exposed in many departments. Injuries to key players like Ambati Rayudu and Dwayne Bravo, who are over 35 and close to 40 respectively, hampered the side at crucial times. With Shane Watson’s retirement and with the likes of Murali Vijay not contributing, there is a big void at the top. The main concern is on MS Dhoni’s form. With MS Dhoni committed to Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021, is it the right move?

MS Dhoni’s lack of cricket exposed

In terms of numbers for MS Dhoni in IPL 2020, this was his worst edition by a country mile. He hit less than 10 sixes, scored 200 runs in 14 games and his average was lower than 30 with a strike rate just over 110. The performances showed. MS Dhoni’s lack of action in the last one year showed. Having not even played cricket for one year, the rust and lack of consistency showed in his batting.

In IPL 2020, every team has found the way to crack MS Dhoni’s finishing blueprint. The old tactic of taking the game deep and trying to finish it off in a blaze is not going to work anymore. Ever since he started doing this consistently from 2013 onwards, teams have had seven years and multiple occasions to work out his mode of operation and in IPL 2020, they executed it well.

One wonders when will MS Dhoni get a chance for more cricket after IPL 2020. The coronavirus pandemic is still very much active in India and reopening cricket activities in the country will be a challenge. If he does not get any cricket before IPL 2021, he might struggle like he did in IPL 2020 which might make this move questionable.

Focus on youngsters

If Chennai Super Kings are to rebuild in IPL 2021, there has to be changes. MS Dhoni CANNOT bat lower down the order anymore. He has to assume the mantle of anchor-cum-finisher. With MS Dhoni nowadays taking time to build an innings, it makes sense for him to bat higher up the order, take his time, get his eye in and then blast off at the end.

Towards the end of the IPL, youngsters showed that a future can be built around them for Chennai Super Kings. Ruturaj Gaikwad showed his class with three consecutive fifties while Narayan Jagadeesan did impress with his technique. Shardul Thakur was also good with the ball while Sam Curran also showed his class. The common link between all these players – They are all young.

For Chennai Super Kings to succeed, two things must happen. First, youngsters must form the core of the side. Second, MS Dhoni has to play some cricket in order to get back in shape. One cannot expect to have played no cricket for one year to immediately come out all guns blazing. If MS Dhoni fails again in IPL 2021, then the criticisms that he is still hanging around despite touching 40 will only grow. Of course, age is subjective and cricketers have the sole right to decide when to retire. But, for MS Dhoni to validate his decision to play for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021, he must make some right decisions otherwise this move could backfire.

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