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MS Dhoni during IPL 2024 (Source:@Diptiranjan_7/X.com)
MS Dhoni is all set to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the age of 43, and there is lot of buzz as always that this will be his last season. The speculations have gone a notch higher after he was seen sporting an t-shirt with a mysterious encryption. Fans have deciphered it as 'One Last Time' and if it is true, it could be the end of one of the most celebrated IPL career.
MS Dhoni has often mentioned that he would play his last IPL game at the Chepauk, and if he follows that Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals game on May 12 will be his last. It is the last home game of the season for CSK and with no playoff games in CSK's den this season, MS Dhoni might retire after that encounter. So, in this article let's look at the three players who can keep wickets for CSK if MSD retires midway.
1. Devon Conway
Devon Conway will be the front-runner to keep wickets for CSK if MS Dhoni retires midway during the series. He is a natural wicketkeeper and has a long experience of keeping wickets for New Zealand and in other domestic tournaments which makes him an automatic choice for a CSK wicketkeeper position.
- Experience Of Wicketkeeping At The International Level
- Bankable Overseas Player
The experience would help him tackle quality bowlers and pressure of IPL better than other players in the CSK squad. He also is one of their premier batters, and in the 2023 season where he last played for the franchise, the batter hit six fifties. Overall, he has 924 runs in 22 innings at an average of 48.63 and strike-rate of 141.28. He kept wickets for Texas Super Kings in the past too, so Conway is surely a worthy and safe option to replace MS Dhoni.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the skipper of Chennai Super Kings, is the best possible domestic option for CSK as wicketkeeper if MS Dhoni retires midway. He is not a natural wicketkeeper, but started doing so during the Maharashtra Premier League couple of years ago, and also kept wickets during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.
- Experience Of Wicketkeeping In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
- Can Help CSK Replace Conway If He Fails To Fire
It shows that he is keeping himself prepared if the opportunity arises in IPL or other big tournaments. Also, if he does keep wickets in IPL 2025 after Dhoni retires, it would help him analyse the conditions and game better just like MSD does. Also, Gaikwad handling wicketkeeping duties would mean that CSK can try different combinations of overseas players if Devon Conway does not fire due to his indifferent form in recent times.
3. Vansh Bedi
CSK have also selected a young wicketkeeper Vansh Bedi in their IPL 2025 squad this year. He impressed in Delhi Premier League 2024 with his power-hitting skills and also bats in the middle order, making him a handy like-for-like replacement of MS Dhoni.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Innings | 8 |
| Runs | 221 |
| Average | 44.20 |
| Strike-Rate | 185.71 |
Bedi could be a long term-wicketkeeping option for CSK as they get ready for life after MS Dhoni. Thus, the young man with a strike-rate of 185.71 and average of 44.20 in DPL could be a surprise selection if MSD decided to bring curtains on his glorious career midway during IPL.
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