Why is MS Dhoni not playing in the Legends League Cricket Tournament 2023?

The Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2023 tournament recently commenced with Gautam Gambhir's India Maharajas taking on Shahid Afridi's Asia Lions. The tournament features three teams, including World Giants led by Aaron Finch. While retired players like Gambhir, Yusuf and Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, and Harbhajan Singh are participating, one prominent name missing from the lineup is former Indian captain, MS Dhoni. Many fans have questioned why Dhoni is not playing in the Legends League Cricket tournament. This article aims to shed light on the reason behind his absence and the policy that restricts his participation.

BCCI's Policy and IPL

One of the main reasons MS Dhoni is not allowed to play in the Legends League Cricket tournament is due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) policy. Although Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020 and only plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the BCCI restricts its players from participating in any other league until they retire from all cricket under BCCI's influence.

It is important to note that the squad of the India Maharajas in the Legends League Cricket tournament consists of players who have retired not only from international cricket but also from the IPL and domestic cricket in India. However, as Dhoni continues to feature in the IPL, he falls under the purview of the BCCI, preventing him from taking part in the LLC.

MS Dhoni's Role in IPL 2023

While MS Dhoni is unable to participate in the Legends League Cricket tournament, he will be leading the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL 2023. Dhoni and other Indian players have already begun their training camp in Chennai, preparing for the tournament. CSK is set to kick-off the IPL 2023 against defending champions Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

It is widely speculated that IPL 2023 will be Dhoni's last season as a player. As he approaches 42 years of age, it is unlikely that he will continue playing until 2024. The previous IPL season saw CSK finish 9th, leading to a captaincy change. Dhoni initially handed over the captaincy to Jadeja, but after a series of losses, Jadeja returned it to Dhoni.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reason behind MS Dhoni's absence from the Legends League Cricket tournament is the BCCI's policy that restricts its players from participating in any league under its influence while still playing in the IPL. Although Dhoni retired from international cricket, his involvement in the IPL prevents him from joining the LLC. However, fans can still look forward to seeing him lead the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023, which is likely to be his last season as a player.