Without missing a beat, Raina responded with confidence, “MS Dhoni.” When the hosts offered him options, Raina shut down the suggestion with a mic-drop response: “I don’t want options!”
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This exchange perfectly encapsulates the unwavering trust and camaraderie that Raina shares with Dhoni, his former captain and longtime Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammate.
While doubts swirl around whether Dhoni will play another season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Raina remains firm in his belief that Dhoni has more to offer, especially in mentoring the next generation.
Dhoni had passed on the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024, signalling a transition.
However, Raina, who retired from international cricket alongside Dhoni on August 15, 2020, believes the legendary captain should continue for one more season.
Raina, speaking to Sports Tak, expressed his desire for Dhoni to guide Gaikwad through another year, helping the young cricketer hone his leadership skills.
Raina’s faith in Dhoni isn’t unfounded. Despite battling a knee injury during the last IPL season, Dhoni adapted to a finisher’s role, contributing crucial runs lower down the order. His 161 runs in 14 matches came at an astonishing strike rate of 220.25, proving that the “Thala” still has fire left in him.
As the IPL approaches its mega players’ auction for the 2025 season, Dhoni’s future remains uncertain.
Dhoni, however, has stated that he will wait to see the auction rules, particularly concerning player retention, before making a decision. “It needs to be in the best interest of the team (CSK),” Dhoni remarked.