Leg and off: Should MS Dhoni return for another IPL season with CSK?

MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in a very unfamiliar place at the minute. While some sides are relishing their progress, some are left dissecting their horrid campaigns, and the Men in Yellow are stuck numb in the middle. The defending champions had a lot to digest this season, a new captain, and injuries left and right, but the general impression was that CSK would see it through because they are CSK.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was in control for the most part, including his form in the second half, but such is the cut-throat competition in the league that at times 'most part' is not enough. The team has to see it through, and that is where CSK faltered.

Dhoni was largely in the backseat in the proceedings (not in the eyes of the broadcasters). He played his role in the lower middle order, kept wickets, and offered Gaikwad assistance whenever needed. It would be quite unfair to say that he failed to play his role because the numbers are right there for all to see.

However, considering how the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are placed right now with another rebuild impending, it is quite hard to see how Dhoni's presence 'as a player' for another season would overtly benefit the team in their quest and need to evolve.

On that note, let us dissect whether MS Dhoni should return for another season in the IPL.

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#1 Emotion vs Logic

Sports in general has witnessed several entities who have lived long enough to be the villain, but that will never, ever be the case with MS Dhoni, and it need not be. The adoration of the fans, bordering on blindness, will ensure that such a scenario will never arrive. However, that does not mean we take it for granted.

It is easy to understand why the stakeholders, the broadcasters, and the franchise itself would wish for Dhoni to continue until he can stand and hold a bat or wear gloves. Their motives are driven by emotions. The fact that MS Dhoni is such a crowd puller and can snowball revenues is the viewpoint of the stakeholders and the broadcasters.

As far as the franchise is concerned, Dhoni has been someone who has been with them through thick and thin. As a result, it is far from a normal bond between a player and a franchise, and a player and a city, it is the synergy of two souls.

Recently, the legendary James Anderson was asked to step down by England's hierarchy. Although the situation is not entirely parallel to MS Dhoni and CSK, but it is worth visiting.

Did his performance levels drop? No. Did his fitness levels drop to the level where he could not give his 100 percent? No. Then how come, and why did England take such a measure? Because that is what logic dictated. Difficult decisions must be taken for the sake of progress, and England understand that. Although it may seem that it was a ruthless move, on the contrary, it was just the right blend of emotion and logic.

Anderson gets his Lord's farewell and retains his legacy, and England get the path clear to try out new candidates. Quite a win-win scenario for both parties,

Such a showdown between the CSK top brass and MS Dhoni cannot even be imagined, because waging a battle against emotion in India is a losing cause.

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#2 The mega auction rebuild factor

If it was any other year, the prospect of MS Dhoni playing yet another season could still have some argumentation. However, lest we forget, the 2024 edition of the IPL ends the three-year cycle, which brings the infamous mega auction into play and complicates the structure to a great extent.

Last time around as well, there was a similar hubbub which came to an end when Dhoni became CSK's second-choice retention. What's the next measure? Being the last choice retention? That does not bode well for a player with Dhoni's stature.

Another measure is using up a huge chunk of money to retain the services of a soon-to-be 43-year-old when there are a hoard of other candidates in the squad and a lot of money needed for a rebuild at the mega auction.

Going into the auction pool to be re-bought is also certainly not an option. So, how will this delicate situation be handled if Dhoni is adamant over playing the next season as well.

The mega auction could be the perfect avenue for sides to explore wicket-keeping candidates and find Dhoni's successor with the gloves as well.

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#3 The shift from 'Why not' to 'Why'

Clinging onto the past is something that hampers progress, and CSK fans have reached a state where they cannot even comprehend letting go, the very thought of MS Dhoni leaving is arguably worse than their worst nightmare.

From Dhoni's perspective, imagining a yellow legal pad with pros and cons on each side, the latter is weighing more now. In the 2020 edition, Dhoni said the famous 'Definitely Not', and back then it made sense, and he backed it up as well.

The 'Definitely Not' was more of a 'Why Not', and leading CSK, he led them to two titles in three seasons.

But now, the tables have turned. He is not the captain anymore, he had surgery perhaps after ages, and has been struggling all season. The veteran still has that aura and impact about him, but the 'Why Not' is not there, there is only a 'Why'.

He has done all he can in terms of setting the team ethos, grooming leaders, and countless other things, all the more reason and relevance to the 'Why' column.

This season was for all the appreciation the fans gave him around the country in the 2023 edition, so what is next season going to be for then? Another attempt to go on a better note rather than live with a bitter defeat to a rival side in the league stage itself?

Dhoni remains one of the most complex characters to break down, so when it comes to playing next season, he could and he might, but he shouldn't. Unfortunately, there won't be many who see that. Hopefully, the legend himself is not one of them.