The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its surprises, and the 2023 season has been no exception. And since IPL 2023 has started, there are only two questions for which people are concerned. Who will win the IPL? And will MS Dhoni retire after this IPL?
Retirement Hint
Earlier, only Dhoni’s colleague Suresh Raina and the CSK owner N. Srinivasan had shared in their recent interviews that MS Dhoni might retire. Dhoni previously, during the match against SRH on 21 April Friday after their win, where acknowledged as being in the final phase of his career.
After CSK’s emphatic win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Sunday, 23 April 2023, CSK) skipper MS Dhoni has hinted at his possible retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the success was not just another win for the team. It was a moment of emotional significance as it marked the last match of MS Dhoni in Chennai, his spiritual cricketing home, as the skipper of CSK.
Legacy
Dhoni, who has led CSK to four IPL titles and is one of the most successful captains in the tournament’s history, has been part of Chennai Super Kings since the beginning of IPL in 2008. After the match, the CSK players gathered in a huddle, and Dhoni addressed the team with an emotional and heartfelt farewell statement. He started by thanking the team management, the support staff, and the owners for their support throughout his IPL career. He then thanked the fans, who have been integral to his journey in the IPL.
Dhoni’s remark has sparked speculation about his future in the IPL and whether he will hang up his boots after this season. Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in August 2020, has been sublime in the ongoing IPL season, scoring 287 runs in nine matches at an average of 57.40 and a strike rate of 143.50. He has also been instrumental in guiding his team to the top of the points table with seven wins out of nine games.
Yellow T-shirt
Dhoni was surprised when he saw the massive presence of CSK fans at the Eden Gardens during the post-match presentation after the victory. The ground turned KKR’s home ground into a “sea of yellow”.
“It’s heartening to witness people wearing yellow attire. I presume it’s their way of bidding me goodbye as it gives me the feeling of a farewell. Witnessing people backing us is always a delightful experience. And I always look forward to returning here.” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
MS Dhoni’s statement
Dhoni also expressed his gratitude to the fans, the franchise owners who gave him the freedom and my teammates for their support throughout my IPL journey. It has been a fantastic ride, and I am grateful for every moment I have spent on the cricket field,”.
“It was a brilliant game. I think KKR played well too. KKR never stops fighting till the last moment. They have a balanced side and can bounce back in the tournament. They have some quality players like Morgan, Russell, Narine, and Cummins. They just need to believe in themselves and play confidently,” Dhoni said.
Dhoni also lauded KKR’s fighting spirit and said they never gave up despite pressure. He noted that KKR has a flat side and can bounce back in the tournament.
Dhoni also mentioned that we started losing Gaikwad early, but then Faf and Moeen batted really well. Then Rahane came in and played a superb knock. He was hitting sixes at will, and Shivam Dube played a cameo. We had a good total on the board, and our bowlers did a great job. Deepak Chahar was exceptional with the new ball, and then Bravo and Thakur finished it. I think we executed our plans well and showed great character,” Dhoni said.
Dhoni’s farewell hint has sparked speculation about his future in the IPL and whether he will hang up his boots after this season. Dhoni has been an integral part of CSK since the inception of the IPL in 2008 and has been its most successful and iconic player.
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Conclusion
The 2023 IPL season has been full of surprises, and the biggest of them all has been MS Dhoni’s hint about the retirement from the IPL. Although Dhoni has not yet confirmed whether he will take retirement, from the statement of Suresh Raina and N. Srinivasan and now the hints given by Dhoni after leading CSK to a win against SRH and KKR, his statement has sparked speculation about his future in the tournament.
However, his sublime form in the ongoing IPL season, where he has scored 287 runs in nine matches at an average of 57.40 and a strike rate of 143.50, has been instrumental in guiding his team to the top of the points table with seven wins out of nine games.
CSK fans will hope that Dhoni continues to lead their team for at least another season and help them win their fifth IPL title this year. Regardless of his decision, Dhoni’s contribution to the IPL and Indian cricket will be remembered for years.
