Virender Sehwag's Bold Take On MS Dhoni's Future In IPL
Ex-India opener Virender Sehwag doesn't agree with Bravo, explaining how legend Dhoni can continue to play, but not as an Impact Player.
GT vs CSK IPL 2023 Final: Many believe that the 2023 season of Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) could most likely be the last season of four-time IPL winner MS Dhoni as a player. Throughout the tournament, whenever Dhoni was asked about 'retirement plans', he didn't rule out a possible return, asserting that he will take a few months to make the final call. In an interview, Dhoni's former CSK teammate Dwayne Bravo had opined how the 'Impact Player' rule might help Dhoni prolong his IPL career for a few more years. However, ex-India opener Virender Sehwag doesn't agree with Bravo, explaining how legend Dhoni can continue to play, but not as an Impact Player.
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"It's not difficult (to play cricket in 40s), if you're fit. MS Dhoni hasn't batted too much this year. He's not aggravating his knee injury. Often, he would come in the last two overs. If I count the total balls he faced, I think he would've faced 40-50 deliveries this season," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
"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," he added.
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When Bravo was asked about Dhoni's continuity after IPL 2023 season, he had said: "100 percent (when asked if Dhoni will return to play for CSK in 2024?), especially with the Impact Player rule. He can keep prolonging his career."