Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has shared his thoughts on the future of MS Dhoni in the IPL, stating that the CSK captain will either continue playing as a regular member of the team or retire from the tournament. Dhoni’s future has been a topic of speculation throughout the IPL 2023, with many suggesting that this could potentially be his final appearance in the competition.

While Dhoni has remained tight-lipped about his plans, teammate Dwayne Bravo hinted that Dhoni might utilize the Impact Player rule to extend his career with CSK. However, Virender Sehwag disagrees with this notion, suggesting that Dhoni does not fit the criteria for the Impact Player rule. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag emphasized that the rule is specifically designed for players who do not field but contribute with their batting or bowling skills.

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Virender Sehwag believes that Dhoni’s role in the team primarily revolves around his captaincy, and if he were not leading the side, he would not feature as an Impact Player. He further speculated that if Dhoni is no longer playing as an Impact Player, he could potentially take on a mentorship or coaching role within the CSK franchise.

As per the quotes in India Today, Virender Sehwag commented, “Impact Player rule doesn’t apply on MS Dhoni. Because he’s playing only for captaincy. He has to stay in the ground for captaincy. Impact Player rule is for someone who doesn’t field but bats, or a bowler who doesn’t need to bat. Dhoni has to field 20 overs; if he’s not the captain, he won’t even play as Impact Player. Then, you will see him as mentor or coach or Director of Cricket.”

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The former opener also acknowledged that Dhoni has had limited opportunities to bat this season, often coming in during the last few overs of the innings. Sehwag noted that Dhoni has faced around 40-50 deliveries throughout the entire season, further emphasizing his belief that Dhoni’s primary role is that of a captain.

As fans eagerly await Dhoni’s decision regarding his future, the discussion surrounding his potential retirement or continuation in the IPL continues to generate intrigue. Dhoni’s impact on CSK and the league as a whole cannot be understated, and whatever path he chooses, his contributions to the game will be remembered for years to come.