'He has proven everything, will be surprised to see him return' - Shaun Pollock reflects on MS Dhoni's IPL legacy

The MS Dhoni-led CSK lifted their fourth IPL title on Friday, October 15. KKR initially had control over the game, but the Men in Yellow bounced back stronger to dominate the proceedings. Over the course of time, Dhoni has been the strongest link of the team.

CSK had a dismaying outing in IPL 2020. For the first time in the history of the tournament, the team did not make it into the playoffs. However, the side was able to shift their fortunes this year around as they exuded their fiefdom and proved why they are considered as one of the most successful teams of the league.

The former South African cricketer and commentator Shaun Pollock has highlighted the legacy of Dhoni. He asserted that the CSK skipper has everything in his cabinet and that he will be surprised if he returns for yet another season.

“What more he has to prove? To play in yours 40s, to have won as many as trophies he has, to bounce back from the way they played last year. It would have been very disappointed had he not played this year after the way he finished last year. But sometimes things just align and the timing seems perfect. I don’t expect him to come out and say ‘look I am retiring, that’s my victory’ he will probably leave it in one or two weeks’ time, but I will be very surprised if he returns,”  Pollock said in an interaction with Cricbuzz.

Anytime history is written about IPL, it will probably begin with MS Dhoni: Ajay Jadeja

CSK had entered their ninth final this year and it was Dhoni’s 300th T20 match as captain. Since the inception of the IPL, the keeper-batter has been one of the most impactful players of the tournament. He has often marched the drum of his repertoire not just by his batting, but his skills behind the wickets and his incredible captaincy as well. Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja touched upon these points and termed Dhoni as the greatest leader.

“Anytime history is written about IPL, it will probably begin with MS Dhoni. What has happened in the 14 years of the IPL, Dhoni is the main character. Everything that has happened in the IPL, he has been the leader and everybody else has just followed. That’s why he is the greatest leader I think,” Ajay Jadeja said.