South Africa batsman and Chennai Super Kings star welcomed MS Dhoni’s decision to continue playing in the Indian Premier League, saying the league needs a ‘big player’ like the CSK captain.
MS Dhoni broke the internet on Sunday with a two-word reply to a question over his future in the IPL. When asked by commentator Danny Morrison if Sunday’s tie against Kings XI Punjab would be his last match in yellow, Dhoni said: “Definitely not”.
“That answer told you he is very much motivated to come back strong next year. There have been a few rumours floating around I have seen of him retiring. So that answer was possibly a hell no straightaway,” Faf du Plessis told teammate Lungi Ngidi during a chat for IPLT20.com.
“Obviously it’s great. When you say CSK you think of MS Dhoni. The IPL needs MS Dhoni to play, he is such a big player. The fans love him so much.
“So why not? If he still feels motivated to pitch up every day and come and do… being a big player comes with a lot of expectation and a lot of pressure.”
MS Dhoni managed just 200 runs in 14 matches but CSK managed to finish their season on a high with three successive victories that helped them avoid a finish at the last spot on the points table.
MS Dhoni said Chennai Super Kings will be looking at revamping their core group with a long-term plan in mind. Dhoni pointed out that a lot would depend on BCCI’s plans for an auction in the lead up to IPL 2021.
“A lot depends on what BCCI decides about the auction. We need to slightly change our core group and look for the next ten years. At the start of the IPL, we made a team that served us well for ten years. It’s time to hand it over to the next generation,” Dhoni said.
