Former India cricketer, Anil Kumble believes Chennai Super Kings’ legendary captain MS Dhoni may consider featuring in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), considering the former India skipper’s passion for the game.
Many feel Dhoni will draw curtains on his professional career after the upcoming edition of the IPL. CSK will enter the campaign as the reigning champions after securing their record-equalling fifth title last season. After they triumphed over Gujarat Titans in the last year, MSD said that he wanted to continue for one more season which would be a gift for his fans.
The 42-year-old is set to appear in the 2024 IPL in his iconic long-haired look. He has already started preparations for the tournament which is on March 22. The India great joined CSK’s pre-season camp at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium last week. The franchise announced his arrival via social media posts which went viral in no time.
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Ahead of MS Dhoni’s highly anticipated IPL appearance, Anil Kumble has recalled working with the World Cup-winning captain as part of the Indian team. The duo shared the dressing room as teammates during the twilight phase of Kumble’s international career. “I never played with MS in the IPL. When I played with him in the Indian team, he was the first one to lift me. I guess he was the strongest of the lot to lift a heavyweight. It was a fantastic moment for me,” the spin-bowling icon told Star Sports.
Anil Kumble served as India’s head coach in 2016-17 when MS Dhoni was the captain. Reminiscing about those days, Kumble said, “We were in Ranchi for a one-day game, for an optional practice session, he didn’t need to come as Ranchi is his hometown. But he was there for the session. I said, ‘What are you doing? We still have a couple of days before the next game.’ He said, ‘No, I just want to be around.’ That’s him.”
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The 53-year-old reckoned Sachin Tendulkar also has the same level of dedication towards the sport. Anil Kumble joined Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians as a mentor in 2013 and stayed with the franchise for three years. During his spell, Mumbai claimed the IPL title twice and also won the 2013 Champions Trophy.
“Sachin was the same. When I was with Mumbai Indians, Sachin had played around 25 or 26 years of cricket. But on optional days, he’d be the first to be on the bus. These two guys, I don’t think can take a break. I won’t be surprised if MS continues to play for CSK, because that’s his optional session,” Kumble said.
Before bidding adieu to professional cricket, Anil Kumble featured in the first three seasons of the IPL, representing Royal Challengers Bangalore. He also took on the captaincy midway through the 2009 edition when RCB became the runners-up.
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