MS Dhoni can continue playing IPL, he is certainly turning up for CSK: Matthew Hayden

IPL 2022: Matthew Hayden said having someone like MS Dhoni at the helm will bring stability to Chennai Super Kings next year and that the CSK captain can continue playing the T20 league if he wishes to do so.

Former Australia opener and Chennai Super Kings star Matthew Hayden said MS Dhoni is certainly delivering the good for the 4-time Indian Premier League champions and that the 40-year-old wicketkeeper-batter can continue playing the IPL if he intends to.

Hayden’s comments came after CSK were eliminated from the race for the playoffs in IPL 2022 after their 5-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, May 12.

Speculation is once again rife about Dhoni’s future in the IPL, considering he will be 41 when the next year’s edition of the tournament will take place. Dhoni retired from international cricket but he has continued to play IPL for CSK.

Dhoni has been in impressive form for CSK in IPL 2022 despite the 4-time champions failing to string a series of wins. The captain has managed 199 runs at an average of over 30 and a strike rate of over 130 this season.

Marveling at Dhoni’s ability to run between the wickets and keep himself fit, Hayden said the CSK’s skipper’s longevity in a high-quality tournament like the IPL is awe-inspiring.

“How fast he is running between the wickets, my goodness! This is a guy that has really gone beyond the age of a normal athlete within a competition of this level. Good on him. If he wants to keep playing, he can because he is certainly turning up for his team,” Hayden told Star Sports.

Despite Dhoni stepping down as captain at the start of IPL 2022, he was looked at as the central figure at CSK. 8 matches into the season, Ravindra Jadeja, who was handed over the reins 2 days before the tournament, stepped down from the role, handing back the captaincy to Dhoni.