MS Dhoni drops cryptic 'new season-new role' post as CSK captain fuels speculations about his future ahead of IPL 2024

MS Dhoni, who is all set to return to competitive cricket through the Indian Premier League, has left everyone on tenterhooks as the Chennai Super Kings captain made a very rare appearance on social media on Monday to hint at a new role in the franchise for IPL 2024. Dhoni, 42, is expected to play his final season this year, after he wowed a return to the tournament following a triumphant season in 2023. But while many anticipated Dhoni's return as captain, his recent post is sure to spark speculation about his future ahead of CSK's season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22.

Dhoni is the most-capped player in the history of IPL(ANI)

"Can't wait for the new season and the new 'role'. Stay tuned," Dhoni posted on Facebook.

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Dhoni was last seen having a ball at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar. Present at the occasion with wife Sakshi and a plethora of Indian celebrities, Dhoni was seen learning dandiya with former CSK teammates Dwayne Bravo. It should be noted that Dhoni has not yet arrived at the CSK training camp that has gotten underway in Chennai where the likes of Deepak Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajvardhan Hangargekar and others have already started training.

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Dhoni, with five IPL titles, is the joint-most successful captain in the history of the tournament along with Rohit Sharma. While the specifics of his new role remain undisclosed, CSK fans would fervently be hoping it's not related to a leadership point of view. If not as a player, will the 2024 season witness the return of 'mentor' Dhoni? Possible. He served the same role with the Indian cricket team at the T20 World Cup in 2021, and with some of his peers such as Gautam Gambhir having embraced 'mentorship', Dhoni could be heading the same way.

Will he though? Honestly, the chances are far and few given Dhoni had already started training in the nets. Two years ago, ahead of CSK's season opener at IPL 2022, Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain setting the stage for Ravindra Jadeja to take over. But after a dismal start to the season, which saw CSK lose five games in a row, Dhoni was reinstated. CSK, then the defending champions, failed to qualify for the Playoffs, but under Dhoni, the franchise roared back to claim a record-equalling fifth championship last year.

And he did so while nursing an injured knee. Through the season, Dhoni was in pain, was often seen with an ice-pack when in dressing room and reportedly even took injections before matches. However, immediately after the IPL, Dhoni underwent knee surgery, pretty much indicating that he will be back for another hurrah.

Dhoni's CSK sign Shardul and Rachin for IPL 2024

Defending champions CSK released superstars Ben Stokes, Dwaine Pretorius, Ambati Rayudu, and Kyle Jamieson ahead of the new season. Enjoying a busy day at the IPL auction, Dhoni's CSK roped in Rachin Ravindra (Rs. 1.8 crore), Shardul Thakur (Rs. 4 crore), Daryl Mitchell (Rs. 14 crore), Sameer Rizvi (Rs. 8.40 crore), Mustafizur Rahman (Rs. 2 crore) and Avanish Rao Aravelly (Rs. 20 lakh).

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