Dhoni won't retire till IPL 2021; wants Chennai Super Kings to release him: Report

As per a report, Dhoni aims to play in the Indian Premier League, at least, for two more seasons (IPL 2020 and 2021).

Chennai: Former India skipper MS Dhoni, who has not played any form of competitive cricket since World Cup 2019 and was believed to take retirement soon, is not planning to hang his boots anytime in the near future.

As per a report, Dhoni aims to play in the Indian Premier League, at least, for two more seasons (IPL 2020 and 2021).

Also, Dhoni, who led CSK to three IPL titles, is reportedly open to the prospect of going back into the auction pool so that the franchise can get him back at a lower price.

“There will be a big auction before the 2021 IPL and Dhoni has told us that he will play the tournament. So, there’s no question of his retirement from the T20 version anytime soon,” a CSK source was quoted as saying by a leading newspaper.

“He said he can go back to the auction pool. That will give CSK the option of using the right-to-match card to pick him, maybe for a lower price. Being the captain that he is, Dhoni is ready to sacrifice money for CSK.

“We know what Dhoni means to us. We don’t want him to go back to the auction pool,” the source added.

Earlier, team India coach Ravi Shastri made it clear that Dhoni's international career is far from over.

"It all depends on when he starts playing and how he is playing during the IPL...The IPL becomes a massive tournament because that could be the last tournament after which more or less your 15 (for the World T20) is decided," Shastri said.