Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu said that it is highly unlikely that MS Dhoni will promote himself higher up the order for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Dhoni, at the age of 42, is at the fag end of his playing career, but has worked on his fitness and game to survive the rigours of playing in high-intensity matches.
Dhoni recently returned to batting in the nets and has looked fitter than ever. In one of the videos going viral on social media, the veteran can be seen hitting a no-look six down the ground off a left-arm spinner.
Rayudu, who retired from Indian cricket after CSK’s IPL final last season against the Gujarat Titans, said that Dhoni would prefer sending a youngster up the order rather than promoting himself.
“With Dhoni bhai, you never know. But knowing him and knowing what happened in the last few seasons, I am sure he will promote a youngster there. He may promote himself a number or two up, but not in the top order,” Rayudu told India Today in a press conference on Star Sports.
MS Dhoni to rock yet another IPL season
Dhoni retired from international cricket back in August 2020 after last playing in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester.
However, he has kept playing for the Super Kings in the IPL. Although he is past his prime, Dhoni remains a crucial member of the CSK setup. Last year, he led them to their fifth IPL title after beating the Titans in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Dhoni is most likely to be seen on the field when CSK lock horns with Faf du Plessis’ Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Dhoni is also 43 runs away from becoming the second CSK batter after Suresh Raina to score 5000 runs in T20s. Recently, fans came to Chepauk to watch Dhoni train and the atmosphere is expected to be electric when he steps out in the IPL opener.