The 42-year-old Mahendra Singh Dhoni still looks as nimble behind the wicket. They will do whatever they want to do in a very short time. There is no chance for the opposition batters to hold their own. A wicket-keeper like him is rarely seen in world cricket and his skill has been impressive this time as well.
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It has been a long time since Mahendra Singh Dhoni retired from international cricket. Now he is 42 years old. Still playing in IPL, for Chennai Super Kings. Whenever he steps out to bat, wherever the game is played, the entire stadium is buzzing. Everyone is saying – Mahi, Mahi. An incident shows how easily this can happen.
It's been a month since Chennai faced Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL 2024. The match took place at the famous MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Batting for the second time, Chennai needed three runs in the last 19 balls to win the match. Just then Dhoni came down to the crease. What do you want now? There was joy in the whole stadium. The sound was so loud that Andre Russell, who was fielding, covered both his ears.
It was a very 'iconic' scene for world cricket. Perhaps Russell did not want his game to be affected by the respect shown to Dhoni by the audience. Whatever the reason, Dhoni is still equally popular. There are many more players in the Indian team now. If we talk about batting, this time Dhoni is playing a 'cameo' role. He is not playing big innings. Especially he is not in that responsibility.
So far Chennai are scoring runs at an average of 110 in the 10 matches they have played. He has completed his 100 runs in this IPL. Often comes towards the end of the innings and remains not out. What is even more interesting is that this time he has been dismissed only twice, that too as a runout. He was dismissed in the match against Punjab Kings. Otherwise speculation was going on, maybe he won't be out this season, isn't it?
Dhoni, who has been playing continuously since the start of IPL, is not even leading Chennai this time. At the beginning of the season, there was news that he would not be the captain of Chennai. Instead, Rituraj Gaekwad will lead it. In the previous season too, he was not the captain at the beginning, but after the poor performance of the team, he took over the team and the team also won the title. In his wicket-keeping, you can still see the old glimpse. Only a month ago he made a rare record.
Dhoni scored his three hundred in the match against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam. He became the first wicketkeeper to score three hundred dismissals in Twenty20 cricket. Dhoni still looks equally nimble behind the wicket. They will do whatever they want to do in a very short time. There is no chance for the opposition batters to hold their own. It is said that a wicketkeeper like him is rarely seen in world cricket and this skill of his has been strong this time as well.
Dhoni is also doing another job very well. That is, believing in new and young players. Give her the chance she needs. Everyone knows that it was because of him that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian team got a chance to reach stardom. Talking about Chennai, Dhoni prepared similar opportunities for Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. That's why Chennai won the IPL record five times.
Sri Lankan fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana is among those who performed well for Chennai this time. His bowling has a glimpse of another former Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga. Pathirana said in an interview that Dhoni's influence on his playing life was like a parent's. He has said, "After my own father, Dhoni is the biggest influence on my playing life." He says, "Dhoni keeps a close eye on my game. They also advise to do this. Dhoni also does what his father does when he is at home.'
When Dhoni lifted the title last season, he was the leading bowler of the team. He took 19 wickets in 12 matches. This time too his role is strong and he has taken 13 important wickets. Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman has also shown similar respect towards Dhoni. He recently left Chennai and returned to Bangladesh for international cricket. Before that, Dhoni did not forget to give him a sweet farewell. And got his autographed jersey from Dhoni. Before leaving Chennai, he wrote on social media, "Thank you Mahi bhai for everything. Sharing the same dressing room with a legend like him is also a big deal. Thank you again for believing in me.'
While talking like this, one question is still missing. When will Dhoni retire from IPL? Last season he probably had a very good opportunity to retire. After defeating Gujarat Titans in the final to win the title, there was speculation that Dhoni would now announce his retirement. But nothing like that happened. But later he announced on the contrary, 'I will be seen in IPL 2024 too.' So we are getting to see his game this time too.
What about after the end of this season? In this IPL, the league stage matches are coming to an end. The focus now is on which team will play the playoffs. Those who are close to Dhoni's family are saying, maybe he will play one more season? Or maybe, they can even take Sannyas. For now, just enjoy his game.
