Sanjay Bangar believes it’s time for MS Dhoni to bid farewell to the Indian Premier League. As the curtains begin to draw on IPL 2025, the former India batting coach feels this should be the last we see of the legendary Chennai Super Kings captain on the cricket field. Despite the continued love and chants of “Thala” echoing across stadiums, Bangar says the time is right for Dhoni to gracefully step aside and allow CSK to rebuild for the future.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Bangar reflected on Dhoni’s enduring presence, admitting that continuing in such a demanding environment at 43 is a monumental task.
“Even local cricket becomes tough on the body at this age, let alone the IPL. If I were in Dhoni’s position, I’d say ‘enough’. I’ve done what I had to, I’ve looked after the franchise, now it’s time to move on,” Sanjay Bangar said.
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Dhoni has once again taken over the leadership reins this season due to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unfortunate elbow fracture. While fans hoped for one more magical Dhoni campaign, the numbers haven’t quite matched the sentiment.
Batting mostly at No. 7 or lower, Dhoni has managed just 196 runs from 13 innings, and CSK has had a rough run with only three wins so far. Sanjay Bangar further explained that Dhoni’s continued presence, though stabilising, might delay the team’s transition.
“There’s never a perfect time to rebuild. But Dhoni must consider that even if the transition takes a year longer without him, the franchise will find its way. He doesn’t need to carry that burden anymore,” Sanjay Bangar added.
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With CSK out of the playoff race, their loss to the Rajasthan Royals marked their tenth defeat this season. As they prepare to face Gujarat Titans in what could be Dhoni’s final IPL appearance on Sunday, the speculation grows louder. For now, the legend remains silent—but the cricketing world watches, hoping for clarity from one of the game’s most iconic figures.
