Former Indian cricketer Kedar Jadhav has made a bold statement regarding the future of MS Dhoni’s cricket career. According to Jadhav, MS Dhoni is likely to retire from professional cricket after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023. Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, has been a constant presence in the IPL and has been leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since the inception of the league in 2008.

Jadhav, who played for CSK in the 2021 edition of the IPL, spoke exclusively to CricketNext about Dhoni’s future plans. He expressed his certainty that this would be Dhoni’s final season as a player in the IPL, citing his age and fitness as key factors.

Dhoni will turn 42 this July, and although he is still fit, Jadhav believes that this will be his final season. He urged fans to cherish every moment of Dhoni’s performances and watch every ball he plays.

CSK’s matches have been a source of excitement for fans, especially those in Chennai, where Dhoni’s popularity is unrivaled. Jadhav also mentioned that during the CSK-RR game on April 12, which saw Dhoni bat, the match set a record on JioCinema with 2.2 crore viewers.

Despite his popularity, Dhoni is currently nursing a knee injury that was evident during CSK’s clash against the Rajasthan Royals. Though he played a blazing knock of 32* in 17 balls, his running between the wickets was affected, and he was seen limping in the later stages of his innings.

CSK’s head coach, Stephen Fleming, confirmed that Dhoni was carrying the injury and that it was hindering his movement. However, Fleming expressed confidence in Dhoni’s ability to manage the injury and continue to lead the side.

Dhoni’s contributions to Indian cricket, especially in the limited-overs format, are immeasurable. His leadership qualities and calm demeanor have earned him the respect of his teammates and opponents alike. While his retirement from the IPL in 2023 may bring an end to his professional cricket career, his legacy is sure to live on.