If he's not the captain, he won't even play as 'Impact Player’: Virender Sehwag on MS Dhoni’s IPL future

MS Dhoni led the Chennai Super Kings into a record 10th IPL final in ongoing IPL 2023.

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has opined on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni’s future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the mega final of the IPL 2023 tournament which is to be played between CSK and Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 29, 2023 in Ahmedabad.

CSK will attempt to win a record-equaling fifth IPL championship on Monday night after defeating GT in the first qualifier to become the first team to advance to the final.

Throughout the entire season, rumors about MS Dhoni's IPL future following the 2023 season have abounded. The CSK skipper did state that he will take some time to consider his future, while Dhoni has stayed mum on whether he will play in the competition the following year.

Dhoni will be playing in his 11th IPL final in 16 seasons; 10 with the CSK franchise and one with Rising Pune Super Giants in IPL 2017.

Interestingly, CSK's bowling coach Dwayne Bravo had earlier said that the Impact Player rule would make it easier for Dhoni to play for the side in the future.

"100 percent. Especially, with the Impact Player rule. It will keep prolonging his career," Bravo had told Star Sports after CSK had qualified for the final last week.

Impact Player rule doesn't apply on MS Dhoni: Virender Sehwag

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, who represented Team India while MS Dhoni served as captain, recently addressed the future of the CSK captain, stating that Dhoni will either retire or play in the first team going forward.

Sehwag's remark about the Impact Player rule was in reference to the fact that Dhoni would not meet the requirements, according to the former opener.

"It's not difficult (to play cricket in 40s), if you're fit. MS Dhoni hasn't batted too much this year. He's not aggravating his knee injury. Often, he would come in the last two overs. If I count the total balls he faced, I think he would've faced 40-50 deliveries this season.

Impact Player rule doesn't apply on MS Dhoni. Because he's playing only for captaincy. He has to stay in the ground for captaincy. Impact Player rule is for someone who doesn't field but bats, or a bowler who doesn't need to bat. Dhoni has to field 20 overs; if he's not the captain, he won't even play as Impact Player. Then, you will see him as mentor or coach or Director of Cricket,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

After leading CSK to a record-breaking 10th IPL final last week, Dhoni stopped for a chat and revealed his retirement plans, saying "he has ample time to decide" whether he will participate in another IPL season. He also said he will continue to be involved with the team, whether as a player or a member of the support staff.