Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu doesn’t think MS Dhoni has played his last match in the IPL and wants the BCCI to continue with the controversial impact player rule as it could help the long-time legend continue in top-flight cricket. Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings were knocked out of this edition of the Indian Premier League after a 27-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a much-anticipated southern derby in Bengaluru on Saturday.
The five-time champions needed 17 in the final to qualify for the playoffs with a better net run rate, but bowler Yash Dayal, after being hit for a monstrous six by Dhoni, held his nerves to help RCB win.
Later, speaking on Star Sports Cricket Live, Rayudu said, “I don’t think this is his last game. I just don’t see him wanting to end on this note.” Even as the RCB players began to celebrate, Dhoni shook hands with the substitutes and the opponent’s support staff before quietly disappearing into the dressing room.
Rayudu said, “He looked a little frustrated even when he left. That’s very different from MS Dhoni, he just wanted to qualify and finish on a high. But you never know with MS Dhoni, he might come back next year.” Rayudu, who played under Dhoni at CSK, brought BCCI into the picture.
“… With the role of an impact player as well, it gives him the opportunity to be able to come in in the last few overs and really make that impact.
“BCCI better not remove the role of impact player because we still want to see MS Dhoni play. So, now it’s up to BCCI. Do we want to see MS Dhoni play or not.” Although the match ended in agony for Dhoni and company, RCB continued their revival with a sixth consecutive win, a remarkable feat that saw them rise from the bottom of the table to reach the playoffs.
Speaking of Dhoni, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden said: “Yes, I suppose the problem is that when you get to the end of your career, whether it’s the last part of his career or not, what you don’t want to see is diminishing returns as an athlete.
“Firstly, as a leader, he is the Thala of Chennai Super Kings. That tells me that nothing here is about becoming anything other than first place.
“And of course, the power is there and it has always been MS Dhoni. He always hits balls at this stage of the inning. balls. “Dhoni hit 25 off 13 balls with the help of three fours and a huge six, showing that he can still send the ball far, far away.
(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
This story originally appeared on ndtv.com read the full story
