Exhaustion creeps in when one keeps circling the same topic – Sanjay Manjrekar admits he’s tired of dissecting MS Dhoni’s place in the IPL. In his view, Chennai Super Kings bungled how they managed it all. A calf injury sidelined Dhoni early; since then, silence filled the field where he’d usually play. Not once did he step into a match this season, despite being seen training alongside teammates now and again. Rumors swirl nonstop about an impending farewell from T20s, yet no word comes out clearly. The endless noise? It simply doesn’t move him anymore – the former batter says curiosity has worn thin.
“To be very honest, I’ve exhausted myself so much talking about another icon. I’ve got nothing left to say about Dhoni. And if you want a very short and brutally honest answer, it doesn’t matter. Whether he plays, whether he doesn’t play, and all that, yeah, CSK have handled that situation very differently and something that I’ve lost interest in,” he told Sportstar.
Truth be told, his impact on Indian cricket stays with me always. A personal favorite among skippers, easily ranked among the legends. Admiration for Dhoni comes naturally, given his deeds. These days? Not quite the same force as before. This latest CSK chapter managed his legacy awkwardly, which dragged the entire squad off course. One way or another, a final match from Dhoni brings joy to many. Yet what stays with me is the player I watched for India and later at CSK. Picture this current squad on the field now. Were prime-era Dhoni guiding them, playoff spots wouldn’t be a question – they’d simply belong there
Out of nowhere, the former player speaking on air said Chennai’s handling of the Dhoni situation brought tough truths to light. Not only did it show cracks, but also how hard it is to let go when feelings get involved. Instead of leaning on nostalgia, the team might do better by choosing players without looking back. Even though his presence lifts everyone, relying on past glory doesn’t build future wins. Hard facts creep in where loyalty once ruled, shaping decisions nobody wanted to make.
Reality hits hard when sentiment clouds judgment. CSK now understand – attachment to a player can blur vision. Instead, attention sticks to results, not names. Performance matters most, not legacy. Each season reveals the truth louder. Age catches up, no matter the past. Fits become forced when logic takes a backseat. The scoreboard does not care for history. What once flowed naturally now strains. Watching closely shows what numbers cannot hide. Staying grounded beats holding on. Not once has he stepped onto another cricket field outside this format. What unfolds could mirror his past few outings, almost frame by frame. Only when the innings nears its closing stages will he appear. Lower in the batting lineup he stays, possibly stepping up only as the final over begins. That choice? Likely born more from sheer brilliance than pure strategy, if you ask me,” he added.
