On Ex-CSK Star's Dhoni 'Won't Add Value' Take, Morgan Says 'Time Ticking'
There has been a lot of speculation that IPL 2024 is going to be MS Dhoni's last.
MS Dhoni is all set to make his return to competitive cricket next week with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on March 22. Dhoni, who led CSK to their fifth title last season, has not played a single game since the final. There has been a lot of speculation that IPL 2024 is going to be Dhoni's last. Former India batter Robin Uthappa had said that even if Dhoni is on wheelchair, CSK won't mind the icon's presence.
Uthappa had suggested that while batting is not the concern for Dhoni, his knees are not in the perfect state.
"CSK would let him play even if he was on a wheelchair! Get off from the wheelchair, bat, and then go back. But I don't think the batting is the issue for him, I don't think batting will ever be an issue for him. I think it's the wicketkeeping. The knees are getting worn out and he loves keeping. So, because he won't be able to stand there and add value, he'll probably move on from the game than for any other reason," Uthappa said on Jio Cinema.
Former England and Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Eoin Morgan echoed Uthappa's sentiments, saying that time is not on Dhoni's side.
"He's the type of guy that writes his own script. It's a feeling thing, most likely for him. If his knees are as bad as Robbie eludes, time is probably ticking because he wouldn't want to outstay the position that he has put the franchise in simply because he'll always want the franchise to succeed. He's so generous with his time, with his respect, he'll want somebody to come in and take over the mantle," Morgan explained.
Dhoni had flown to Mumbai from Ahmedabad after the final last year and consulted renowned sports orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, who is also on the BCCI medical panel and had performed surgeries on a number of top Indian cricketers, including Rishabh Pant.
He had successfully underwent a left knee surgery, and has been declared fit to play.
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