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MS Dhoni Not In IPL 2025? 3 Replacements If CSK Star Retires Before Upcoming Edition



MS Dhoni during IPL 2024 [Source: @imDhoni_fc/x.com]MS Dhoni during IPL 2024 [Source: @imDhoni_fc/x.com]

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MS Dhoni has been synonymous with CSK since the IPL was founded. The former Indian skipper has led the team to five IPL teams and has been the hero of many memorable wins.

Besides being an able leader and successful finisher, MS Dhoni’s glovework behind the stumps has been the reason for seizing the momentum for CSK on many occasions. However, after he retired from international cricket in 2019, critics have felt that the legend should call the day from the league, too. However, the MSD-CSK love affair continues, and it is expected that the 43-year-old will play one more season for the franchise. 

However, what if MS Dhoni feels that it is enough for him and decides to call it a day just ahead of the IPL 2025? MS has made such decisions before, and it won’t be a big surprise if he does it again. 

Why Will MS Dhoni Call It A Day In IPL?

Age Factor - MS Dhoni is currently 43 years old and is well past his prime. It has been the demand of the fans and the franchise that he is continuing. Yes, he has fixed a particular role for himself and has been playing the role more than decently for the last couple of years. But when he plays in the IPL for those two months in a year, it becomes quite evident that MS's cricketing skills have faded away. It was at such a juncture in his Test and ODI career that he hung up his boots and could do a similar thing in IPL, too.

Impact As A Player - As we mentioned, MSD perfectly plays the role he has determined for himself in IPL. But is he leaving the same impact that he would have left as a player even a couple of years ago? Just like me, you can be a die-hard fan of the man, but you have to swallow the pill and admit that being a batter of his class, the entry point he has determined for himself, is not justified. With the way he is still striking the ball, MS can continue for a couple of more seasons; however, it will only be the extraction of a resource that has already exhausted itself. MS might understand this better than anyone else and could very well hang up his boots ahead of IPL 2025.

Whatever may be the reason, if MSD walks away from IPL ahead of the next season, here are three players whom CSK might target to replace him - 

3. Harvik Desai

MS Dhoni and Harvik Desai [Source: @gbb_cricket/x.com]MS Dhoni and Harvik Desai [Source: @gbb_cricket/x.com]

A talented young wicketkeeper batter, Harvik Desai, can be a great replacement for MSD. The middle-order batter has scored at a strike rate of 139.47 in his T20 career and thus could be a great presence in the middle-order of CSK. Also, the fact that he is just 25 years old favours Desai. CSK can groom him and make him an integral part of the team in the future.

2. Ashwin Hebbar

Ashwin Hebbar for DC [Source: @DelhiCapitals/x.com]Ashwin Hebbar for DC [Source: @DelhiCapitals/x.com]

Ashwin Hebbar, a dynamic batting all-rounder who could be an impactful presence in the CSK middle-order in MSD’s absence. Hebbar has a strike rate of 130.31 in T20 cricket and could be a great floater in the batting line-up. Hebbar presence in the line-up will allow the team to adjust their batting line-up as per the demands of the game and how a match is progressing. 

1. Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan for RCB in IPL [Source: @cricbuzz/x.com]Sarfaraz Khan for RCB in IPL [Source: @cricbuzz/x.com]

Sarfaraz Khan has been one of the most consistent run scorers in the Indian domestic arena for the last two or three seasons. Even though his performance has come in the longest format of the game, the class he has shown is an indication of the fact that he can translate it in the T20 format. Sarfaraz Khan can also keep wickets, which solves CSK’s problem to some extent. Even if he does not keep the wickets, Conway can do that job, and Sarfaraz can add to the batting line-up in the middle order. He has shown that he has the innovation and attitude to be successful in the T20 format, too. If CSK can groom him properly, Sarfaraz Khan could be a great investment for them if MS Dhoni decides to call it a day in IPL.