The first checkmark was made, much to the delight of the majority, on Monday night in Ahmedabad when Chennai defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets to win a record-tying fifth final.
The IPL 2023 final game was cut short by rain, and it wasn’t Dhoni the batter’s night as he suffered an improbable golden duck while helping Chennai chase down 171 runs.
However, it was unquestionably Dhoni the captain’s night to shine, as he was instrumental in orchestrating Chennai’s incredible comeback from their ninth-place finish in the 2022 season to their 2023 championship victory.
Harsha Bhogle: It’s good to see you. After this title wins, we reconnect as we so frequently do. Should I ask you a question or will you just tell me something?
”It’s best if you ask first and then I respond”, says MS Dhoni.
Harsha Bhogle: I questioned you about your legacy at CSK and the last time you won a trophy. He stated, “I haven’t yet left it behind”.
Dhoni said he is still open to playing another season while thanking the crowd for their unwavering support throughout the campaign. The CSK captain said he planned to return the following year as well.
Dhoni added that he has nine months to make the big decision regarding his participation in the IPL 2024. Despite being aware that it may be physically even more taxing given his age, 41, and his ongoing knee condition.
“This would be a good time to make my retirement announcement given the current situation. The simple solution would be to say “thank you” and leave. However, the challenging solution would be to put in a lot of effort over the course of 9 months in order to try to play in AT LEAST ONE MORE SEASON OF THE IPL”.
”I’ve got 7-8 months to make a choice. It won’t be easy on the body, but it would be a gift from me in appreciation of all the support I have received throughout this IPL. “.
— MS Dhoni.
MS Dhoni made a heartbreaking “retirement” remark that sent the Ahmedabad crowd into a frenzy
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) May 29, 2023
Dhoni opened up about his visibly raw emotions as the presentation ceremony came to a close. A tense Dhoni watched as CSK’s chase against GT came down to the final match.
“You do get emotional just because it’s the end of my career. My career began over here, and when I walked down for the first game, everyone was chanting my name. My eyes were watering, so I just stood there in the dugout for a while”.
”I understood that I should relish this. The same thing happened in Chennai; it was my final game there, but it will be good to return and participate in any way I can. They appreciate me for who I am”, Dhoni continued.
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