Why is MS Dhoni not playing in the World Champions of Legends tournament?

NEW DELHI: Several former Indian cricket stars, including Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh, are playing for the India Champions team in the World Champions of Legends tournament in Birmingham.

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, however, is absent from the lineup due to regulations set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). These regulations restrict active Indian IPL players from participating in other leagues, even though Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020.

Dhoni, who remains an active player in the Indian Premier League, stepped down as captain of the Chennai Super Kings this season. Nonetheless, he played a crucial role for CSK in 2024, scoring 161 runs from 14 games with an impressive strike rate of 220.

This BCCI policy explains why Dhoni cannot join his former teammates in the World Champions of Legends tournament, despite no longer being part of international cricket.

Fans may miss seeing Dhoni reunite with Raina, Yuvraj, and Harbhajan on the field, but his performance in the IPL keeps him in the spotlight. His role as a finisher for CSK continues to captivate audiences, underlining his enduring influence in Indian cricket.

While Dhoni's absence in Birmingham is noticeable, his dedication to the IPL remains steadfast, highlighting ongoing contributions to the game.

India Champions squad: Robin Uthappa, Naman Ojha (wk), Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh ©, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Vinay Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rahul Shukla, RP Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Anureet Singh, Rahul Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Pawan Negi.