MS Dhoni confirms participation in IPL 2023

Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has confirmed that he will be featuring in the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League, and has hinted that there could even be a slight chance of him continuing to play in the IPL even beyond the 2023 season. 

Now 40, there were question marks over Dhoni’s future as a player. There were murmurs that the former India skipper might quietly step away following the conclusion of 2022 edition.

However, speaking to Ian Bishop at the toss ahead of CSK’s last game of the season versus Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni confirmed that he will be featuring next year. The 40-year-old said that it will be unfair if he calls it a day without playing one last time at the Chepauk in Chennai. 

“Definitely (will be playing next year). It’s a simple reason: it will be unfair to not play in Chennai and say thank you (to the CSK fans). It won’t be nice to the CSK fans,” Dhoni said at the toss.

“And hopefully next year there will be the opportunity for the teams to travel. It will be like a ‘thank you’ to all the different places you will be playing games at. Whether it will be my last year or not, that’s a big question. You can’t predict what will happen 2 years down the line, but definitely I will be working hard to come back next year.”

After enduring poor seasons with the bat in IPL 2020 and IPL 2021, Dhoni has thus far enjoyed a fine IPL 2022. The 40-year-old has amassed 206 runs at an average of 34.33, and has played a couple of match-winning cameos.