Suresh Raina Suggests MS Dhoni Should Continue Playing in IPL 2025, Says Ruturaj Gaikwad Needs Another Year

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has recently expressed his desire for MS Dhoni to extend his IPL career beyond the 2024 season. Raina, who has been a long-time teammate and close friend of Dhoni, emphasized that Dhoni’s continued presence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) would be invaluable. According to Raina, Dhoni’s influence is crucial not only due to his exceptional performance on the field but also because of the significant mentorship he offers to younger players.

One player who has greatly benefited from Dhoni’s guidance is Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was appointed captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the 2024 IPL season. Before the start of IPL 2024, CSK made a notable leadership change, transitioning the captaincy from Dhoni to Gaikwad.

Raina acknowledges Gaikwad’s potential but believes that having Dhoni around for an additional year would be beneficial for Gaikwad’s development as a leader. Raina feels that continued mentorship from Dhoni would help Gaikwad fully embrace and excel in his new role as captain.

Suresh Raina expressed his wish for MS Dhoni to continue playing in the IPL through the 2025 season, highlighting Dhoni’s impressive performance from the previous year. Raina believes that Dhoni’s presence would be highly beneficial for the league and for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He also mentioned that Ruturaj Gaikwad, who took over the captaincy of CSK, could use another year to fully develop in his role. Raina acknowledged that Gaikwad faced challenges, including criticism following a loss to RCB, but praised him for his commendable leadership. Despite the difficulties, Raina is confident that Gaikwad has done an excellent job and would benefit from another year under Dhoni’s mentorship.

MS Dhoni’s Prospects for the Next IPL Season

There has been considerable speculation regarding MS Dhoni’s potential retirement following the IPL 2024 season, but as of now, no official statement has been released. Dhoni has suggested that his continued participation in the league will largely depend on the new IPL rules and regulations, especially those related to player retention. Suresh Raina also highlighted that Dhoni’s future in the IPL is uncertain and influenced by these upcoming changes.

“There is still plenty of time to determine what will happen,” Raina stated. “We need to wait and see what decisions are made regarding player retention and other factors. At the moment, the situation is beyond our control. Once the new rules and regulations are established, I will make a decision, but it must be in the best interest of the team,” he added.

During the previous IPL season, MS Dhoni proved to be a crucial finisher, accumulating 161 runs across 14 matches with an impressive strike rate of 220.55. Although the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ended the season in fifth place, Dhoni’s performance underscored his exceptional skill and continued leadership. His ability to deliver under pressure highlighted his enduring value to the team, reinforcing his status as a key player despite the team’s overall position.