MS Dhoni, CSK Playing11
Image: IPL/BCCI

MS Dhoni: There have been a lot of speculations about if this will be the last season for MS Dhoni in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 or not. But with the way he’s going, it’s fair to say that he can play for many coming years. The keeper batter retired from International cricket in 2020 and has been plying his trade in IPL since then. But with him getting older over time, it can potentially be the last season for him as a player as he himself has been vocal about retiring in front of the home crowd Chepauk. 

IPL 2023: MS Dhoni & CO thumps Kolkata Knight Riders by massive 49 run margin at Eden Gardens 

IPL 2023: MS Dhoni threatens to leave CSK Captaincy if bowlers keep Bowling wide and no-balls
Image: BCCI/IPL

Chennai Super Kings clobbered Kolkata Knight Riders by 49 runs to register their fifth win of the season. The MS Dhoni-led side now sits at the top of the points table with 5 wins to their name from 7 games. It was a dominating performance from their end as they made the opposition look clueless. 

Asked to bat first, Devon Conway (56) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (35) yet again took CSK off the flier as they stitched 73 runs for the opening partnership. After that, it was all about Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube. The duo took bowlers to the cleaners and smashed them all over the park. 

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While Dube scored 50 runs in 21 balls, Rahane went on to smash unbeaten 71 runs in 29 balls as Chennai Super Kings posted a gigantic total of 235 runs on the board. They then carried the momentum in their bowling as they took wickets in clusters and left KKR tottering at 70/4. 

Jason Roy led the fight back for his side with a fiery fifty but he didn’t get the desired support as KKR could manage just 186 runs. Mahesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers for his side as he returned with the figures of 2/32.  

IPL 2023: “They are trying to give me a farewell,” MS Dhoni hints about his possible retirement 

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IPL 2023: “They are trying to give me a farewell,” MS Dhoni hints about his possible retirement 3

After the game, MS Dhoni addressed the win and gave a possible hint about his retirement. He thanked the crowd for coming in chunks at Eden to support them and also said that they are giving him farewell. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he said: 

“I will just say thanks for the support, they came in big numbers. Most of these guys will come in a KKR jersey next time. They are trying to give me a farewell, so thanks a lot to the crowd. Fast bowlers are doing their job, and so are spinners in the middle.

The wicket was short on one side so we needed to get early wickets and keep the pressure. They have plenty of power hitters, so we had to give the respect to the opposition. I have a clear funda, if someone is injured he can’t do anything. You just move on and motivate the youngsters to perform.”

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be next seen in action when they will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their next game on Thursday (27th April).

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