The 45th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may have been called off due to rain, but what made the fans rejoice most on the occasion was MS Dhoni‘s epic response to a question on his retirement.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Danny Morrison asked Dhoni how his last IPL season was going, to which the CSK skipper responded with a witty one-liner. Dhoni said that he hasn’t yet decided when he’ll retire from the league, denying the rumours of the IPL 2023 being his final season.
“How you’re enjoying your last season,” asked Morrison.
“You’ve decided that it’s my last season, not me,” replied Dhoni with a broad smile.
Here’s the video:
MSD keeps everyone guessing 😉
The Lucknow crowd roars to @msdhoni's answer 🙌🏻#TATAIPL | #LSGvCSK | @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/rkdVq1H6QK
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2023
The legendary Indian wicketkeeper batter was also felicitated ahead of the match by the honourable vice president of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), Mr Rajiv Shukla, as it was Dhoni’s first game in Lucknow’s BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium. The 41-year-old cricketer was presented with a miniature bat and a shield on the occasion.
ICYMI!
Mr. Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of the BCCI felicitates @msdhoni with a special award at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow 👏🏻👏🏻#TATAIPL | #LSGvCSK | @ShuklaRajiv pic.twitter.com/ddYZ1P65Ef
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2023
Speaking of the match, the game only saw 19.2 overs being bowled before it was interrupted by the drizzle. However, CSK dominated the first innings play and picked some quick early wickets to push LSG on the backfoot until the match was cancelled due to heavy rain and thunderstorm.
All Moeen Ali, Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana picked two wickets each for the Chennai-based team in the contest. Meanwhile, Lucknow still managed to score 125 for the loss of seven wickets and four balls to spare. Ayush Badoni remained not out at 59 off 33 deliveries for his team.
In the end, both CSK and LSG were awarded one point each due to the abandonment of the match.