Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won their 5th IPL title and they have equaled the most number of IPL titles with Mumbai Indians (MI). CSK won the IPL 2023 final by beating last year’s champions Gujarat Titans (GT). But the main question is will we see CSK’s captain MS Dhoni again in a yellow jersey next year?
A comeback for Chennai Super Kings
CSK shows the world again why they are one of the best teams in IPL history. They finished 2nd last in the points table with just 4 wins in 14 games. This year, they made a strong comeback and lifted their 5th IPL title.
CSK didn’t start their IPL campaign well as they lost their first game against GT. But through the tournament, MS Dhoni and his troops were brilliant and finished 2nd in the points table.
Now, they again met GT in the first qualifier. And this time, they beat them to enter into their 10th IPL final in 14 seasons. GT reached the final by beating MI in the 2nd qualifier.
CSK vs GT: The Final Showdown
CSK again beat GT in the final and restrict them to win their 2nd consecutive title. MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first. GT started off really well and Gill and Saha added 67n runs for the first wicket.
Sai Sudharsan show in the first inning
Sai Sudharsan was outstanding in the IPL 2023 finals. He also did well before that as well, coming in as an impact player and playing a few cameos at the top.
Sai scored 96 in 47 balls and GT scored 214 in 1st inning.
Shortened game due to rain
The rain interrupted and the revised target was 171 for CSK. The openers gave them a flying start and the cameos from Dube and Rayudu also helps CSK to take the game deep.
In the last 2 balls, when 10 was needed off 2 balls, Jadeja hit a six and a four and won the game for CSK. MS Dhoni lifted his 5th title as captain in IPL. But will he come back again in yellow?
Have we seen the last of MS Dhoni in the IPL?
Now the big question mark is, have we already seen the last of MS Dhoni in the IPL? Before the IPL 2023 started, there were some speculations about MS Dhoni’s retirement after this season. And the kind of atmosphere throughout the IPL 2023 suggests that it will be Dhoni’s last season.
MS Dhoni was getting some reception wherever he go to play the match. Everyone in the stadium chanting his name and he got so much love this year from the fans.
He got love from the fans every year, but this year is something special. People giving him reception thinking it will be his last season.
What does MS Dhoni think about his future?
When Harsha Bhogle asked MS Dhoni about his future, he gave an optimistic answer and said he will try his best to come back and play at least one more IPL season. He also said it all depends on how his body reacts. If his body allows, he will surely work hard to get back to his fans and gave them a gift in return for the love he gets from them.
“Circumstantially if you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love and affection I have been shown wherever I have been this year, 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.” –MS Dhoni said in the final presentation.
“A lot depends on the body, I have 6-7 months to decide. It will be more like a gift from my side, it’s not easy for me but that’s a gift. The way they’ve shown their love and affection, I think that’s something I need to do for them.”- He added.
MS Dhoni – The silent killer
We saw MS Dhoni over the years. He will go silently if he wants to. MS is not the kind of a personality who wants big reception and a big stage before retirement.
As we saw in Test cricket, he retires from the format suddenly during the 2014-15 Australia tour. In white-ball cricket as well, he played his last game in ICC WC 2019 against NZ and then announced his retirement before IPL 2020 out of nowhere.
If MS Dhoni made up his mind, he will silently announce his retirement from IPL as well.
A mystery throughout IPL 2023
Where ever MS Dhoni went to play the IPL game this season, he talks about that stadium and his memories with that.
In Jaipur, he told after the match how his 183-run knock gave him at least one year in the team. He also talks about his memories in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, etc.
Even when Danny Morrison asked MS Dhoni about his last time in IPL, he cheekily replied and said- “You have decided it is my last IPL.” MS never reveals what’s in mind regarding his retirement.
All the atmosphere in IPL 2023 suggests it’s his last IPL season. But let’s see what happens next. What do you think? Was IPL 2023 the last season of MS Dhoni? Or will he come back next year? Comment your predictions below.
The fans would want him to play at least one more year. His presence on the ground is enough for the fans.
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