Can CSK captain MS Dhoni play for the Texas Super Kings in USA’s Major League Cricket given he is now retired?

MS Dhoni retired from International cricket in 2020 but continues to play in the IPL.

Can CSK captain MS Dhoni play for the Texas Super Kings in USA’s Major League Cricket given he is now retired?

MS Dhoni (Source: News9live)

Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman, MS Dhoni announced his retirement from International cricket in a sudden announcement via his Instagram on 15th August 2020. Post the announcement, Dhoni continues to lead and play for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He was picked by the franchise in 2008 and is still an integral part of the side.

Many of MS Dhoni’s former and existing teammates such as Devon Conway, Faf Du Plessis, Mitchell Santner and Ambati Rayudu were named in the Texas Super Kings’ squad in USA’s Major League Cricket. However, Rayudu withdrew from the tournament stating personal reasons.

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Faf Du Plessis is leading the TSK side in Major League Cricket. Many of CSK’s coaching staff members from head coach Stephen Fleming to physiotherapist Tommy Simsek are also with the TSK side in the US.

Also read: MS Dhoni’s teammate and 2007 World Cup winner helps people stuck in Ambala floods

Why MS Dhoni can not play in MLC

MS Dhoni 1
Source: TimesNow

When it comes to MS Dhoni, he can not in fact play for TSK or any other franchise in the MLC. Even post his international retirement, the 42-year-old continues to play for CSK in the IPL which means he is still playing Indian cricket.

The BCCI does not allow players to play in foreign leagues unless they have completely retired from all forms of Indian cricket and have completed a certain cooling-off period. Retired players are expected to stay off the field for a certain amount of time before they can resume playing cricket abroad.

Since MS Dhoni has no plans of retiring any time soon, and the fact that he is already 42, it is unlikely that we will ever see him playing for TSK in Major League Cricket. Skipper Dhoni however is set to return in 2024 to lead his team in yellow. He led CSK to their fifth IPL trophy in the 2023 season.

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