Former India head coach Anil Kumble feels it would not be easy for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni to prepare fully for IPL 2024. However, he expects him to play the entire edition if he is ready. Meanwhile, CSK fans breathed a sigh of relief to see Dhoni in the franchise’s retained players list as well which was released on November 26. Despite being 42, he is all but certain to feature in his 17th IPL season as well.

Speaking to Jio Cinemas on the retention day, Kumble said, “He has undergone a knee surgery. He has to work hard, but he is someone who will not give you any clue about when he is going to leave. We have seen that with the way he left international cricket too. I am sure the fans and the players want him to go all the way. I am sure if he is ready if he makes himself ready, he will play the full season. I think last year was a classic example,” he added. “We all know he was not 100 percent fit, but yet he managed to be at his best behind the stumps, in front of the stumps. You have time, but he has hardly played any cricket. It’s not going to be easy.”

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Meanwhile, MS Dhoni-led CSK to a record-equalling fifth IPL title, thanks to a thrilling last-ball win over the Gujarat Titans in the grand finale as well. Despite batting lower down the order at No.7 and 8, Dhoni played several valuable cameos at a strike rate of over 182. On the other hand, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra backed Anil Kumble and added that MS Dhoni will play the entire IPL 2024 season as well.

“I don’t think he will leave the season midway,” Chopra said. “He has proved everyone wrong, time and again. MS Dhoni will decide it himself. Last season also, there were concerns about his knee, he was struggling, but he managed to play. Last year, when Ben Stokes came, there was talk about him becoming the next CSK captain. But after a year, Stokes has left. Will it be Ruturaj Gaikwad?”