IPL 2023: Murali Vijay Slams Media over MS Dhoni Retirement Talks

Recently retired Team India opener Murali Vijay slammed the media for continuously speculating about MS Dhoni’s retirement. The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player also shared his thoughts on this matter too. However, in the build-up to IPL 2023, the two dominant things were there – players’ workload management and MS Dhoni potentially playing his last season this year as well.

When asked about this, Murali Vijay said that the press puts pressure on players by discussing them. The 39-year-old also took a dig at the supposed fans-turned-detractors who write players off by doing retirement talks as well.

“It’s an individual choice. It’s high time people understand what a cricketer is going through. He’s served our country for about 15 years. So we should be giving him space to take that call, rather than putting pressure by asking when he’s going to retire. It’s very harsh for y’all to ask this question. Everybody is asking about MS’ retirement. It is so sad for me to sit and answer it. I have retired recently, so I know how it feels. We have given our heart and soul to this game and it’s a personal choice, and I want to tell people to maintain that little bit of privacy,” Murali Vijay told Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview organised by Star Sports.

While many aren’t really pleased with MS Dhoni’s fitness, the loyalists are in denial about whether they should be mentally prepared for doomsday despite being wanted it to never come as well. However, a knee injury, which has restricted him from quick running, has forced MS Dhoni to push himself as low down in the batting order as possible too. But his batting skills haven’t diminished a bit.

IPL 2023: CSK are having a great season so far

Among those who have played a minimum of 25 deliveries so far in the IPL 2023, he boasts the second-highest strike rate at 210.71 as well. Murali Vijay also added how professionals always find a way to work around shortcomings.

“I never thought about these things, I just wanted to go and play. Even now, in my heart, I want to play. The situation you guys have put me in, is making me take those decisions. It’s very hard to give an honest answer. It’s upto each individual; they are all professionals and I am pretty sure they’ll come up with their own plans,” Vijay, who is a commentator with Star Sports for IPL 2023, shared.

However, MS Dhoni’s retirement will make a hole which can never be filled easily. While Vijay didn’t want to delve deep, he shared that the future is in safe hands as well. Notably, CSK made their star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja Dhoni’s successor last season but their plan backfired. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes has now emerged as a contender, but the CSK management would definitely keep in mind his fitness and England’s packed-up international calendar.