Will the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 draw curtains on MS Dhoni’s illustrious T20 career? Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has weighed in on a potential retirement for the legendary captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise. One of the most decorated cricketers in the history of the gentlemen’s game, former Indian skipper Dhoni had called time on his iconic international career in 2020.
Dhoni, who guided Team India to three major ICC titles in his legendary captaincy stint, only features in domestic cricket’s biggest extravaganza as the Ranchi stalwart has remained keen on prolonging his T20 career. Even though Dhoni has made sure that CSK bounce back in the IPL 2021 after forgetful last season, former Australia spinner Hogg feels the talismanic batsman of the Chennai franchise is contemplating retirement from T20 cricket.
Hogg believes that Dhoni will call time on his IPL career at the end of 2021. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Hogg recalled how 40-year-old Dhoni was castled by Varun Chakaravarthy. “I think he’s going to retire at the end of the year from IPL cricket. The way he got out to Chakaravarthy the other day with the wrong un’, there was a huge gap between bat and pad. I think the reflexes of the 40-year-old are just starting to wane. His keeping has been sensational,” Hogg said.
Dhoni was cleaned up by mystery spinner Chakaravarthy in Chennai’s thrilling win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. Dhoni had departed for a paltry individual score of 1 after CSK skipper had promoted himself ahead of Ravindra Jadeja in the final over thriller against Kolkata. Jadeja ended up playing a match-winning knock of 22 off 8 balls.
“At the age of 40 and with the role that he’s got with the Indian Cricket Team going into that T20 World Cup, I think he’ll move into a management role or even the head coach of CSK,” Hogg added. CSK legend Dhoni has played 214 matches in the IPL. Dhoni-led CSK are currently leading the IPL 2021 standings with 16 points from 10 matches
