Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) legendary captain MS Dhoni is yet to confirm his retention to the franchise ahead of the deadline date, October 31. However, Dhoni may have confirmed that he will play in the next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) at an event.
"I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play," said Dhoni in a promotional event for software brand Rigi, for whom he's a brand ambassador.
"When you play cricket like a professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy it just like a game. That's what I want to do. It's not easy. The emotions keep coming, the commitments are there. I want to enjoy the game for the next few years," said the 43-year-old.
Dhoni opened up about keeping himself fit during the off-season and be ready for the gruelling IPL season.
"I have to keep myself fit for nine months, so that I can play two and a half months of IPL. You need to plan it out, but at the same time chill a bit," Dhoni said.
Dhoni as uncapped player
As per the new rule by the IPL governing council, Dhoni can be retained as an uncapped player by CSK for as low as Rs 4 crore. Dhoni will be in uncapped player category as he has not played international cricket for five years. Also, he hasn’t had a central contract from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during this period. However, CSK can still retain him for a larger sum.
CSK CEO waiting for Dhoni’s call
Dhoni is set to meet CSK officials at the end of the month to talk about retentions. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan revealed that Dhoni told him that he’ll let him knoe before the retention deadline.
"We also want Dhoni to play in the CSK team. But Dhoni has not confirmed it to us yet. Dhoni said, 'I will tell you before October 31.' We hope that he will play," Kasi Viswanathan said at an event, as quoted by Sports Vikatan.