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So, will it be one more year for MS Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings team in the 2025 season? The franchisee is waiting to hear ‘yes’ from the big man, and some of his close associates are super confident that their ‘Thala” is going nowhere. With the retention rule all set to be announced very soon, the franchisee is looking to retain at least five – with a maximum of three to four Indians and one to two foreigners – Dhoni’s presence is a must till the time the promoters are 100 percent convinced about a transition plan has someone big – if not as big as the former Indian captain – is there to steer the team ahead.
Sources told CricBlogger that CSK has discussed a possible leadership role for Ben Stokes, who was with the franchisee, in place of Ruturaj Gaekwad, who isn’t in the scheme of things for the Indian team. After seeing their captain was not included in the Sri Lankan series in India’s white-ball team – thanks to coach Gautam Gambhir and the current crop of selectors — CSK management may have raised doubts over his future. While the CSK management backs their talent and certainly retains him for the season, they are also capable of changing their captain. An example is the way they removed Ravindra Jadeja in the middle of a season after announcing him as the captain at the start.
There is also a talk that former CSK player Suresh Raina could be part of the support staff for the next season. The Chinna Thala has been a very popular player in the CSK history.
It has come to such a pass that CSK can’t let Dhoni leave the field without settling on his successor, who can carry the banner of the franchise successfully. Unlike the Indian team, where your performance would be judged, playing in a tournament like IPL won’t mean much pressure for Dhoni. No one is judging him here. Instead, the viewership jumps by several folds when he walks into bat. His presence is so powerful that none are ready to let him go.
Meanwhile, some CSK players exuded confidence that “Mahi” bhai is going nowhere. Others are saying that he may play a few matches. None of his team wants Dhoni to get away and get into a mentor’s role. Even last season, it was CSK coach Stephen Fleming who was taking the call, and next season also, not much would change. Dhoni could walk in and out – show his master class for one more year. Why not? The CSK management must be talking to him. Still, they would be wary about the fact that Dhoni is his boss. After the way CSK lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore, a champion player like Dhoni would love to leave IPL as the undisputed player of this generation!
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