Kevin Pietersen, the former England skipper, expressed his belief that MS Dhoni, the captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), could make a comeback for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
At 41 years old, Dhoni is currently the oldest player in the IPL 2023 season and the only one over the age of 40.
Dhoni has been the backbone of the Super Kings since the tournament’s inception in 2008, and Pietersen expects him to return for another season. Pietersen witnessed Dhoni’s lap of honour after CSK’s last home match of the season against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 14.
The Chennai crowd remained in the stadium to show their support for Dhoni, who autographed a shirt for legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar.
In his column for Betway, Pietersen expressed his doubt that this would be Dhoni’s final season, citing the impact player rule as a major factor in his ability to excel. He noted that Dhoni can keep for the entire 20 overs and bat anywhere he desires, making him an asset to the team as a captain.
Additionally, Pietersen praised Dhoni’s exceptional keeping skills and mentioned that he typically bats toward the end of the lineup, allowing him to come in and hit a few deliveries.
Pietersen believes that Dhoni’s break from cricket will be beneficial, providing him with eight to nine months to rest, tend to his knee, and prepare for the next season.
Dhoni has demonstrated his ability to clear boundaries with ease, indicating that his best form is yet to come. Pietersen is optimistic about Dhoni’s potential to participate in the 2024 edition of the IPL.