MS Dhoni should have retired in 2023, he is losing respect: Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer, was seen heavily criticizing MS Dhoni on Saturday after CSK suffered another loss against Delhi Capitals at their own home ground, once called an unbreached fortress. Tiwary stated that the legend should have retired after the team’s win in IPL 2023, as he is now losing respect. The comments came right after another sluggish performance from MS Dhoni, who came to bat in over 11 of CSK’s innings, but couldn’t help his team secure a win.

Coming in to bat at number 7, Dhoni entered the ground in the 11th over when CSK was struggling for stability, with the top batting order already back in the pavilion. Dhoni tried and managed to score 30 off 26 balls but couldn’t finish the game like the old match finisher he once was. Although he did build a 84 runs partnership with Vijay Shankar the team fell 25 runs short of the target, handing an easy win to Delhi Capitals.

He should have retired after the 2023 IPL: Manoj Tiwary

Tiwary in a cricbuzz interview, lashed out at Dhoni’s form and also questioned the CSK bosses for the continuous Heartbreaks for CSK fans and questioned why isn’t the legendary cricketer isn’t retiring from IPL when he can’t bat. 

“Forgive me if I’m being a little strict here. He should have retired after the 2023 IPL; it was his best time. With all the respect he has earned over the years, fans have not been able to see him in the last two years, and he is getting lost. Look at how the Chennai fans are reacting, coming out on the roads and giving those interviews,” he said.

He not just criticized but highlighted that MS Dhoni is best behind the stumps, where fitness matters the most. Quoting coach Stephen Fleming that MSD has a knee pain issue, Manoj Tiwari said, When an Indian legend is perfectly taking catches, doing up and down on almost every ball, then why can’t he bat up the order? He then further questioned the batting order of Thala and said that it is time for Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to take calls.

“He is making the effort. Stephen Fleming also said Dhoni cannot bat more than 10 overs. But I can’t understand, when you can field for more than 20 overs, where you have to sit up and down, dive to take catches, make runouts, then you knee doesn’t hurt, but when it comes to helping the team win, you talk about 10 overs. All the decisions are being taken around him, but nothing is working for the team. I feel they should take a strong call and make him understand that it’s not working and that he should leave,” he said.

CSK, struggling with a balanced approach, is in bad form this tournament and is still looking to find a balance for the IPL 2025 season. They started strong with the opener match win, but then lost momentum and lost three matches to their next opponents. With this form and struggles, CSK is now set to face PBKS on April 8 in the Rivalry week at the Mullanpur stadium.