“Unanticipated Yet Insightful: Former Teammate Shares Surprising Perspective on MS Dhoni’s IPL Future | Cricket News”

### Potential Insights into MS Dhoni’s IPL Future: A Former Teammate’s Perspective

As cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming IPL season, eyes are once again drawn to MS Dhoni, whose exceptional skills could come shining through as he potentially assumes a batting role at No. 7 or No. 8. This strategy could enable the former Indian skipper to maximize his performance in limited deliveries, suggests ex-India cricketer Robin Uthappa.

On March 20, 2025, the Press Trust of India reported that, even at 43, Dhoni demonstrated his readiness for the IPL 2025 in a Chennai Super Kings net session, where he effortlessly dispatched Matheesha Pathirana’s challenging yorker for six using his iconic helicopter shot. Uthappa, renowned for his astute cricket analysis, remarked, “Regarding Mahi, we could witness his remarkable brilliance yet again. He might bat between 12 and 20 balls as he did last year, providing crucial contributions to the team.”

Uthappa refrained from speculating about Dhoni’s future beyond this season, asserting, “The passion never dies. MS remains as devoted to the game as ever, and his wicketkeeping skills, particularly his lightning-fast hands, are second to none. Whether he retires after this season or continues for another four, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

### Kohli and Rohit: A Promising Season Ahead

Veteran batter stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are poised for their return to T20 cricket following India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. Uthappa expressed confidence in their prowess, stating, “Both players are in exemplary form. Kohli’s familiarity with Bengaluru will undoubtedly be an advantage, while Rohit, despite recent inconsistencies, seems poised for a strong performance this season.”

### New Leadership Challenges in IPL 2025

This IPL edition will see franchises like Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru navigating new leadership under first-time captains Axar Patel and Rajat Patidar, respectively. Highlighting the challenges, Uthappa observed, “Axar benefits from a familiar unit, while Rajat, despite Kohli’s immense presence, can leverage his captaincy expertise to lead RCB effectively.”

Both new captains face the challenge of handling smaller, high-scoring venues like Delhi and Bengaluru. Uthappa aptly concluded, “The key challenge will be winning at home, identifying strategies to exploit these environments to their advantage.”

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