Former Australian captain Michael Clarke hopes MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play in the IPL next year as well. The veteran also said that Dhoni was the king of his franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and everyone, be it sponsors or fans, wanted to see him play as well. However, Clarke also felt that if and when Dhoni did decide to retire, it would be a big loss for CSK as well.

“I think MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play in next year’s IPL. MS Dhoni is massive. Every time Chennai plays, even in away games, there are more Chennai fans than any other fan. Sponsors, they are there because of MS Dhoni. The fans, they are there because of MS Dhoni. He is the king of that franchise. They want him to keep playing and I dont think people realise the impact. When he decides to retire, it will be a huge loss to the franchise,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

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However, one of the major changes in the IPL in the last few years was the introduction of the Impact Player rule. Michael Clarke also felt that the rule was helpful for the league, but it was not helping Indian cricket at all.

“The impact player will stay. I don’t think the rule helps Indian cricket. It is great for the tournament. You don’t do it in the international level. With regards to the IPL, they’ll keep the impact player in” Michael Clarke concluded.