Even after winning the IPL title against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Monday, May 29, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni is still hopeful of appearing in another season.
In the post-match presentation, Dhoni said the following:
“Circumstantially if you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. The easy thing would be for me to say ‘Thank you very much’, but the tough thing for me is to work hard for another 9 months and come back and play at least 1 more season of IPL.”
Following the final, Harbhajan Singh spoke to Star Sports on the possibility of fans seeing MS Dhoni in action again:
This is the biggest news for fans. MS Dhoni will come back next year and he will return with even better fitness. Fans will get to witness their beloved Thala don that yellow jersey again. The expectations are going to be high from CSK next year and this team knows pretty well how to handle that pressure of expectations.”
“250 IPL matches is a tribute to MS Dhoni’s fitness” – Ravi Shastri
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was also there during his debate, and he applauded Dhoni for his remarkable fitness levels in IPL, where he has played a record 250 games.
Shastri also discussed how, despite not being a local player, Dhoni was able to earn love and support from Chennai fans. He stated,
“250 IPL matches is a tribute to MS Dhoni’s fitness. No one can match the kind of legacy Dhoni is going to leave behind in this tournament. He is called Thala by the whole of Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
“The love and adulation a guy from Jharkhand receives down south from fans of CSK is testimony to the greatness of this cricketer.”
Even neutral supporters are relieved that Dhoni has hinted at returning to the IPL next year.