IPL 2023 is set to experience a major shift as former India skipper MS Dhoni is expected to declare his retirement at the end of the 2023 season. Although Dhoni has not officially informed Chennai Super Kings, it is understood that he will play his last IPL match in front of the home crowd at Chepauk Stadium. The CSK management expects an official announcement from Dhoni prior to the start of the IPL. This year’s IPL will be in its traditional home and away format after a three-year absence.
An officer from CSK stated, “We believe this will be his last season as he wants to bid farewell at his favorite stadium. In any case, we should have clarity by the start of the IPL.”
in recent days there have been many speculations about MS Dhoni’s future in cricket. it gets intensified when MSD handed over CSK captaincy to Jadeja in IPL2022.
(He again become CSK captain when Jadeja’s performance was not good)
Now The Main Question is who will be his successor?
The official further added, “MS has not informed us of his decision and there is no pressure on him to do so. He is our leader and will do what is best for the team. As far as the management is concerned, MS has our full support whether he continues beyond this season.”
This raises the question of the Successor Of MSD In CSK.
The team Has Multiple Options for Leaders Like Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane, and the young Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Ben Stokes is the best option for taking the CSK captaincy. but the problem will be the Conditional NOC. With his national team commitments, it is Not 100 percent Sure that Stokes will be available for the full duration of the IPL every season.
Hence, CSK Will Have to look towards an Indian option that Stokes and Dhoni can Train for the future. Gaikwad, who has already led Maharashtra in domestic cricket, is an excellent candidate for the future.
With regards to BenStokes, CSK faces two problems. One, he is a foreign player and second, he is an all-rounder. Stokes is likely to be granted a conditional NOC for not bowling in every match. This means that CSK will have to play him as an overseas batter in some games. His old injury history is also a major problem if CSK considers him as MSD’S replacement. While Rahane is another option, he does not have a guaranteed spot in the CSK playing XI as seen earlier and he is not as young as Gaikwad.
An official from CSK commented, “Of course, we are very happy to have Ben Stokes. He is not only a match-winner but also a great leader. It is MS’s call on who he will name as his successor. With foreign players leading in the IPL, there is always the problem of combination. All-rounders can also be tricky to handle. If Ben does not get a NOC next year, it will be a problem. So, one can never rule out the young Ruturaj.”