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Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn believes the time has arrived for MS Dhoni to put his bat and pad in the locker as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finished their IPL 2026 journey at the 8th spot of the points table.
Despite claiming multiple wins in the mid-phase of the tournament, CSK managed to finish their run in the ongoing season with only 12 points from 14 games. For the 5-time IPL winners, it is their third consecutive season, during which they have failed to make their way into the play-offs.
MS Dhoni, you need to cut that career now: Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn was the guest in a recent interaction with another South African cricket great, AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel. During the discussion, the former seamer stated that MS Dhoni should now consider announcing his retirement from the league.
“I don’t know, but I think Dhoni, you need to cut that career now. He’s been a wonderful player, but other guys need to be the main focus now,” the 42-year-old opined.
Former pacer disagrees with Dhoni’s decision
Steyn also commented on Dhoni’s absence during the matches as well. Because of multiple injury causes, the iconic keeper-batter did not feature in a single match in the 2026 Indian Premier League for CSK. He remained absent in the dug-outs as well.
It was earlier reported that MS Dhoni opted not to sit on the dug-out as he did not want the limelight on him. It was his method to prioritize the emerging cricketers more. Dale Steyn did not align with the thought process. He talked about legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who used to come on the ground in every match to support the Mumbai Indians.
“MS didn’t come to one of the games. You know, he did say that he doesn’t like to come to the games because he doesn’t want to make the game about himself. But I’m sorry, he is still, when you think yellow jersey, you think MS Dhoni. I mean, Sachin still comes to every MI game. He’s there. MS being there, I have to disagree. I feel like MS being there on the field will certainly help and boost the feeling of the dressing room,” Steyn said.
AB de Villiers is also left disappointed
AB de Villiers also expressed his disappointment as he too waited to see MS Dhoni in action. But that did not happen. Like many CSK and MSD fans, it was a heartbreaking instance for the former South African batter as well.
“I was calling for him just in case he’s going to be around there. Just put up your hand for the wicket keeper. The guys are going to love having you on the park bench at seven and play every single game, kind of thing. That never happened. So, every single game everyone was discussing was whether MSD is going to play the next one. Is he going to play the next one? And boom, now it’s the end of the tournament. He never played,” AB de Villiers mentioned in the same video.
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