Even before the start of the IPL 2023, there were speculations that this season may be the last season of MS Dhoni as a player but fans of the former Indian skipper were hoping that he will play at least one more season especially after seeing the fitness levels of Mahi and the manner in which he was hitting sixes in the matches.
However, yesterday the skipper of Chennai Super Kings, MS Dhoni dropped a big hint regarding his future in the IPL. After the match between CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders got over at Chepauk stadium which is CSK’s home ground, MSD did a special lap of honour which he did for thanking the fans for supporting him all these years; he also greeted the police officials, gave them autographs, etc. MS Dhoni also threw jerseys towards the crowd and he was carrying racquet with which he was hitting balls towards the crowd.
The former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also took MS Dhoni’s autograph on his shirt when he was giving the lap of honour.
Here are a couple of videos in which you can see Thalaiva thanking the crowd:
𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚! 💛
A special lap of honour filled with memorable moments ft. @msdhoni & Co. and the ever-so-energetic Chepauk crowd 🤗#TATAIPL | #CSKvKKR | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/yHntEpuHNg
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 14, 2023
Legendary! MS Dhoni Signs Autograph On Sunil Gavaskar's Shirt During CSK's Lap Of Honour at Chepauk
This is surreal ♥️
Best Day of my Life 🥹
You are OG @mahi7781 🤌🏻
Best moments of IPL 2023 so far#IPL2023 #CSKvKKR #dhoni #csk #autograph #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/M3AixAWF08— Sonik Roonwal (@RoonwalSonik) May 14, 2023
Though MS Dhoni and CSK may return to Chepauk stadium if they enter the play-offs yet nothing can be said with confirmation in regard to that as of now.
As far as the match is concerned, the toss was won by CSK and they decided to bat first, however they could manage only 144/6 in their stipulated 20 overs. The highest scorer for CSK was Shivam Dube (48 runs not out, 34 balls, 1 four & 3 sixes) and KKR successfully chased the target of 145 with 9 balls remaining in their innings. Though KKR also had a bad start, skipper Nitish Rana (57 runs not out, 44 balls, 6 fours & 1 six) and Rinku Singh (54 runs, 43 balls, 4 fours & 3 sixes) ensured that they did not end up on the losing side.
KKR lost 4 wickets in their chase, while Rinku Singh went back to the dug-out after getting run-out, the three batters were dismissed by CSK pacer Deepak Chahar. CSK is at the 2nd spot in the points table with 7 wins in 13 matches and KKR is at the 7th spot with 6 wins in 13 matches.
Though Dhoni fans are utterly disappointed as this may be the last season of Dhoni as a player in the IPL, the truth is that we all knew he is going to take retirement from the IPL soon.