As CSK juggernaut clinched their fourth Premier League title on Friday, one of the final questions asked to their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was whether fans will get to see him continue in the CSK jersey next year.
The million-dollar question has been doing the rounds for a while now, and Dhoni once again left it open-ended. When renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle asked if he is proud to have left a rich legacy as CSK captain, Dhoni offered a wry smile on his face and cheekily responded:
“Still I haven’t left behind..”.
Earlier in the post-match presentation Dhoni reiterated that his retention in Chennai colours for the next season is not confirmed yet and depends largely on the number of retentions and RTMs that the BCCI will allow the existing franchises to make for what will be a 10-team competition.
“Again I’ve said it before, it depends on BCCI. With two new teams coming in……we have to decide what is good for CSK. It’s not about me being there in top-three or four. It’s about making a strong core to ensure the franchise doesn’t suffer,”
he said, clearing his intention to keep CSK as strong as ever after his tenure ends.
The legendary cricketer added that the main aim for CSK will be to rebuild a strong “core group” that can serve the franchise “for the next 10 years” in the IPL.
In mixing his words with laughter, the 40-year-old once again left his future with CSK upto interpretations. Ahead of CSK’s last league stage encounter in Dubai versus Punjab Kings , he had said fans will definitely get to see him in yellow next season but whether that will be as a player is not certain yet.
Dhoni suggested he could be joining CSK’s backroom staff if he is not one of the retained players. However, the Super Kings are expected to retain him as captain and player for at least one more season for sentimental reasons, hoping to give him a befitting farewell in front of their passionate fans in Chennai.
