Four-times IPL champion MS Dhoni put an end to his retirement talks, saying that he would be back as Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) captain next year as well. The veteran stumper also said it would be unfair if he did not thank his fans back home in Chennai.
During the toss in CSK’s last game of IPL 2022, cricketer-turned-host Ian Bishop asked Dhoni whether he would be returning to play in IPL next year, to which the 40-year-old replied: “Definitely [I will play IPL 2023]. It’s a simple reason: it will be unfair to not play in Chennai and say thank you [to the fans]. Mumbai is one place where, as a team and as an individual, I have got a lot of love and affection. But it wouldn’t be nice to the CSK fans.
“And also, hopefully next year there will be an opportunity where the teams will be travelling so it will be a like thank you to all the different places where we will be playing games at different venues. Whether it will be my last year or not that’s a big question, because you know we can’t really predict about something two years down the line. But definitely I’ll be working hard to come back strong next year.”
Reacting to Dhoni’s decision, South Indian actress Parvati Nair said she is extremely happy after MSD has confirmed that he will be CSK captain next year as well.
“Thank you @ChennaiIPL for this season. We will come back stronger. Thank you @msdhoni for confirming that you will be our captain next year too,” tweeted Nair.
Thank you @ChennaiIPL for this season. We will come back stronger.
Thank you @msdhoni for confirming that you will be our captain next year too.#MSDhoni #RRvCSK #WhistlePodu #CSKvsRR #CSK #Yellove pic.twitter.com/tlOsdLlGkH
— Parvati (@paro_nair) May 20, 2022
Talking about Dhoni and CSK’s performance in the last match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), the CSK skipper scored 26 off 28 balls on Friday and added a crucial 51-run partnership for the fifth wicket with top-scorer Moeen Ali (93) before being dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal.
CSK posted 150 runs for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs. However, it was not enough as RR chased down the set total with five wickets and two balls to spare. With this win over CSK, the Sanju Samson-led side managed to finish at number two in the points table and will now take the table-toppers Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, May 24.
