The 18th season of the IPL is in full swing, with 13 matches already completed. However, the performances of senior Indian players have become a major talking point. In particular, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni are under scrutiny for their form.
Dhoni retired from international cricket long ago, but CSK has continued to rely on him. For the past five seasons, rumors of his IPL retirement have circulated, yet he has stayed on. While he remains a beloved figure, his batting has lost its impact.
Once expected to bat at No. 4, he now comes in at No. 9, leaving fans frustrated. Though his experience behind the stumps is invaluable, his contributions with the bat are minimal. With CSK losing two of their first three matches, some fans are blaming Dhoni for the defeats.
Rohit Sharma’s case is different. A maestro of ODI cricket with a T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy to his name, he now struggles with the fast-paced nature of the IPL.
His body language seems off, and as an impact player, he is getting dismissed too quickly. Bowlers no longer treat his wicket as a prized one, and teams no longer consider him a serious threat.
Virat Kohli, the most technically sound among the three, continues to score runs, but his strike rate doesn’t align with the modern IPL.
With power-hitters like Travis Head, Phil Salt, Heinrich Klaasen, and Andre Russell dominating the tournament, Kohli’s approach seems outdated. Despite playing 18 seasons for RCB, he has never won an IPL title, a lingering disappointment for his fans.
Many believe this could be the final IPL season for Dhoni, Rohit, and Kohli. While all three have been pillars of Indian cricket, their current form suggests it may be time to step away.
Speculation is even rife that Dhoni could exit mid-season, given his history of unexpected decisions. Whether he will pull off another surprise remains to be seen.
