MSD to retire? This could be Dhoni's last IPL, says Australian legend

Bengaluru, April 29: Mahendra Singh Dhoni could be playing in his last Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament this year, according to an Australian batting legend.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting thinks Dhoni will not feature in next year's IPL. However he has admitted that he has "no basis" to draw conclusions on Dhoni's future in the cash-rich Twenty20 tournament. (Ponting picks his IPL Team of 2017)

Dhoni is the most successful captain in the history of IPL. He led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to two titles. However, for the first time, he is not leading any side in IPL. CSK are serving a two-year suspension and are set to return next season.

Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) removed Dhoni from captaincy at the start of IPL 2017 and installed Australian Steve Smith as the franchise's leader.

Talking to Cricket Australia's (CA) website on Saturday (April 29), Ponting felt that the 35-year-old Dhoni might bid adieu to IPL after the current edition, the 10th.

"If you think about Dhoni and his age, this might well be his last IPL," Ponting, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI), said.

"There's no basis to me saying that. It just seemed like a strange time to move him on as captain if he wasn't coming towards the end.

"Obviously they've made a decision that they think is right for that team and Steve Smith taking over was what the hierarchy and the coaching staff thought was the right thing to do," he added.

So far in IPL 10, Dhoni, barring one knock, has failed to make it big with the bat.

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