Page 44 - The Indian EYE 053025

STUMP VISION MAY 30, 2025 | The Indian Eye 44

Amid rumors and pressure for hanging his boots,

MS Dhoni walks into exclusive club with 350 sixes

Former India cricketer and the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning star Joginder

Sharma feels it is time for Chennai Super Kings icon MS Dhoni to “rest”

OUR BUREAU
Chennai
hennai Super Kings (CSK)
icon MS Dhoni became the
Cfourth Indian batter to smash
350 sixes in the T20 format during
their fixture against Rajasthan Royals
(RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on
Tuesday in the 18th season of the Indi-
an Premier League (IPL).
Dhoni scripted the milestone to
his name in the 16th over of the first
innings when Riyan Parag tried to
outwit the Chennai captain with his
round-arm and zig-zag movement.
Dhoni remained unfazed, waited for
the moment, and hammered it flat
over Parag’s head with his brute force.
The 43-year-old became just the
fourth Indian batter to achieve the
feat after Rohit Sharma (542), Virat
Kohli (434) and Suryakumar Yadav
(368). Overall, the flamboyant Chris
Gayle holds the record for most T20
maximums with a staggering tally of
1,056.
CSK’s veteran exploits ended on Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Rajasthan Royals, at Arun
the penultimate delivery of the first
innings. Dhoni powerfully paddled the Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday (ANI)
low full toss, but Tushar Deshpande
put his hands out at short fine, and shambolic campaign in the 18th season. earlier this month. He acknowledged gery at the beginning of this month to
the ball stayed stuck in them. With Rumours about Dhoni’s retire- that he would have to see if his body overcome the issue he carried for most
commentators trying to grasp Desh- ment sparked when his family came could take pressure in the next six to of the season.
pande’s piece of magic, Dhoni, with a to Chepauk last month for Chennai’s eight months. Earlier, Chennai Super Kings
wry smile, walked back to the dressing fixture against Delhi Capitals. The “After this IPL gets over, I have to head coach Stephen Fleming empha-
room with 16(17). 43-year-old’s coming down in the bat- work hard for another 6-8 months to sised the value of experience and said
But former India cricketer and ting order fuelled the rumour mill, es- see if my body can take this pressure. that the team not working well has
the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning star pecially after Super Kings head coach Nothing to decide now, but the love shaken everybody and they are work-
Joginder Sharma feels it is time for Stephen Fleming admitted that Dho- and affection I have seen is excellent,” ing to find winning form again.
Chennai Super Kings icon MS Dhoni ni can’t bat for “10 overs running full he said in the post-match presentation. Chennai, a team that boasts five
to “rest”. stick.” With his brute force and light- title wins and 12 playoff appearanc-
Chennai, a team that boasts five Joginder, who was Dhoni’s final ning-quick reflexes with the gloves, es, crashed out of the playoff race in
title wins and 12 playoff appearances, over masterstroke against Pakistan in Dhoni toppled several records in the the group stage. They built their core
was chasing the shadows of its former the 2007 T20 World Cup, believes it is 18th season, including featuring in 400 group around experienced players who
self as it crashed out of the playoff time for the veteran wicketkeeper to T20s, becoming the oldest player to could help them navigate through the
race in the group stage. After desig- bid adieu to his 18-year-long journey be adjudged the Player of the Match, ups and downs in the cash-rich league.
nated captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was in the cash-rich league. securing most wins as a captain and “No, I don’t care how old play-
ruled out of the tournament, Dhoni “Considering Mahi’s fitness level, many more. ers are. I do like experience, though,
took the mantle of leading the belea- he should play up to prove his fitness, During CSK’s IPL 2023 triumph, experience has served us really well
guered CSK. but I believe it is time for him to rest,” Dhoni didn’t miss a single match. He over the proud years that we’ve had. It
Speculations have been going Joginder told ANI. led the team from the front and en- hasn’t worked out quite well for us this
around about Dhoni’s future in the Dhoni addressed his retire- sured that his troops walked away with year, and that could be a bit of form. It
cash-rich Indian Premier League after ment plans after his finishing touches their fifth IPL title at the end of the can be strategy, it can be a number of
the five-time champions crashed out helped Chennai trounce the defend- tournament. Months later, the former things, that just don’t quite work out,”
of the race to the playoffs following a ing champions Kolkata Knight Riders Indian skipper underwent knee sur- Fleming said.

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