'CSK without him isn't CSK' - Ajit Agarkar, Graeme Swann react to MS Dhoni's 'uncertain about IPL future' remark

Before his team Chennai Super Kings clash with Punjab Kings on October 7, MS Dhoni provided an update regarding his IPL future to Danny Morrison at the toss, as he confirmed his association to last with the “yellow franchise”, although stated that he remains unsure owing to the many uncertainties around the retention rules and modalities of the mega auction ahead of the next edition, which will feature two new teams.

“Well, you can see me in yellow next year,” Dhoni said after losing the toss. “But whether I will be playing for CSK? There are a lot of uncertainties around it for a simple reason that we have two new teams coming up.”

“We don’t know the retention policy. We don’t know how many foreigners, Indian players we can retain, the money cap that every player will be cutting from the kitty. So, there are a lot of uncertainties. Unless the rules are in place you can’t really decide that. So, we will wait for it to happen and hopefully it will be good for everyone,” he added.

MS Dhoni more than just a player for CSK: Graeme Swann

Reacting to his comments, former England spinner Graeme Swann and former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar said that it is a big positive that the 39-year-old remains committed to playing further. Notably, Dhoni, who bid adieu to international cricket in 2020, recently expressed his willingness to play his last IPL game in front of the Chennai crowd.

“I think yeah, he spoke about it before that he clearly wants to play in front of the Chennai fans. Of course, it’s a great thing for the IPL as well. He wants to do well as a player too. But it will all depend on the retentions and the Right to Match rules as well. The positive is he still wants to play, that’s a good thing for CSK,” Agarkar on Start Sport.

“I actually would [retain MS Dhoni]. He is more than just a player for CSK. CSK without Dhoni isn’t CSK,” Agarkar’s co-panellist Swann said.

The bidding for the new additional teams is set to be held later this month, while the rules regarding RTM and retentions for the mega auctions are also expected to be released in the coming month.