- Friday, April 26, 2024
I think the easy thing for me to say would be to say ‘Thank you very much’, the 41-year-old cricketer said but then added…
By: Shubham Ghosh
All eyes were on Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of the most successful captain for India and in the Indian Premier League (IPL), after his Chennai Super Kings won a thrilling final against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in Gujarat by five wickets on Tuesday (30). The game could not be held on Sunday (28), the scheduled day for the final, because of heavy rain and was pushed to the reserve day (29) but was still affected by rain.
Anticipating it, the 41-year-old cricketer gave a massive update about his retirement plans and that would make the Chennai fans happy for at least another season. Speaking in the post-match presentation, he said while announcing his retirement will be the “easy thing” after such a big success, he wanted to train for the next nine months and try to play in the 2024 season as a “gift” for his fans.
Chennai Super Kings win thriller to clinch IPL 2023
“Looking for an answer? Circumstantially if you see this is the best time for me to announce retirement. But the amount of love and affection that I have been shown, wherever I have been this year…I think the easy thing for me to say would be to say ‘Thank you very much’, but the tough thing for me would to work hard for nine months and come back and play at least one more season of IPL. But a lot depends on the body. It would take 6-7 months to decide. It will be more like a gift from my side. It’s not easy for me but the way they have shown their love and affection, that’s something that I need to do,” Dhoni said.
“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. Every trophy is special, but what is special about IPL is every crunch game you need to be ready,” he added.
The wicket-keeper-batter has been leading Chennai in the IPL since its inception in 2008 (barring two seasons when the franchise was banned) and led them to 10 finals. Personally, too, he reached a milestone in the tournament as the 2023 final was his 250th game although he could not make it memorable with the bat, falling in the very first ball that he faced.
Chennai, who equalled Mumbai Indians’ five titles with the 2023 win, were given a target of 171 in 15 overs following the intervention of rain after Gujarat Titans posted 214 for 4 in 20 overs. They had a brilliant start and after Gujarat made a comeback in the middle overs, ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja hit a six and four in the final two deliveries to clinch the game and the trophy.
The Chennai skipper has been the cynosure of all eyes ever since the 2023 edition kicked off in March as speculation was rife that it would be his final outing. Many thought the 2023 final would be the final match of his glorious career during which he gave India two world cups — in both 20 and 50-over formats.
