Touched love of fans, MS Dhoni signals return to IPL next year
Will this be MS Dhoni’s last IPL? It was the question on everyone’s lips even before the first ball was bowled this season. And just as it ended with a Chennai Super Kings win, a fifth for the franchise, the skipper said, “This is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love I have received all over. The easy thing would be to walk away from here, but the harder thing would be working hard for 9 months and try to play another IPL. It would be a gift from me, won’t be easy on the body.”
The former India captain led Chennai Super Kings to a fifth IPL triumph against Gujarat Titans in what was a nail biting final with Ravindra Jadeja wrapping up a 171 chase off the last ball.
When asked on what his emotions were throughout the tournament, with the fans giving him a warm welcome even on away venues, Dhoni said, “You do get emotional, the first game at CSK everyone was chanting my name. My eyes were full of water, I needed to take some time off in the dugout. I realised I need to enjoy this. I think they love me for what I am, they love that I am so grounded, I don’t try to portray something I’m not. Just keep it simple.”
The interaction you were waiting for 😉
MS Dhoni has got everyone delighted with his response 😃 #TATAIPL | #Final | #CSKvGT | @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/vEX5I88PGK
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2023
“Every trophy is special, but what is special about IPL is every crunch game you need to be ready,” he added.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to field first after the IPL 2023 final was move to the reserved day following a washed out Sunday in Ahmedabad. Powered Sai Sudharsan’s 96, the Gujarat Titans posted 214/4 in their 20 overs before rain halted play in the first over of the CSK innings.
The game would be reduced to a 15 overs affair, with the revised total now 171. Following a powerful opening stand between Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu and Shivam Dube added vital contributions in the middle before Jadeja sealed the deal on the last ball.
“There were lapses today, the bowling department didn’t work, but it was the batting department that took the pressure off them today. I do get frustrated, it is human but I try to step into their shoes, every individual deals with pressure differently,” the CSK skipper noted post match. “Ajinkya and a few others are experienced, so you don’t worry. If anyone is confused, then can always ask.”
The match marked a final IPL appearance for Ambati Rayudu, who had announced his retirement from the league ahead of the game. A win in the early hours of Tuesday meant Rayudu became the player with joint highest IPL titles (6) alongside Rohit Sharma.
“The special thing about Rayudu is he will always give his 100% when he is on his field. But with him in the team, I will never win the fairplay award. I’ve been playing with him for a long time, since the India A tours. He’s a player who can play spin and pace equally well. It is something really special. I felt he would do something really special today, he’s also like me – not someone who uses the phone often. I hope he enjoys the next phase of his life,” Dhoni said of his teammate.
