A Gift for CSK Fans: MS Dhoni Not Thinking About His Retirement After 5th IPL Triumph

By Aayush Pathak May 30, 2023

A Gift for CSK Fans: MS Dhoni Not Thinking About His Retirement After 5th IPL Triumph

Chennai Super Kings‘ captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni recently put an end to his retirement speculations with his thoughtful words following their fifth IPL title win. In the post-match interview after CSK defeated GT in the IPL 2023 final, Dhoni expressed that the current moment would be opportune to announce his retirement.

Dhoni sparks hopes in CSK’s fans

While acknowledging the easier path would be to thank everyone and retire, MS Dhoni voiced his desire to work hard for nine months and aim for one more IPL season. The decision, however, hinges on his body’s ability to endure the physical demands.

“If you circumstantially see, it’s the best time to announce the retirement. The easy thing for me to say is thank you and retire. But the hard thing to do is to work hard for nine months and try to play one more IPL season. The body has to hold up.”, Dhoni said during the post-match interview.

Dhoni emphasized the immense love and support he has received from CSK fans, considering playing another season as a gift for them. He expressed gratitude towards the fans, who have showered him with unwavering love and emotions throughout his career. Recalling the atmosphere where the crowd chanted his name, Dhoni reminisced about the beginning of his journey in Chennai. Returning to play in front of the passionate CSK fans would be a fitting end to his illustrious career.

“But the amount of love I have received from CSK fans, it would be a gift for them to play one more season. The way they’ve shown their love and emotion, it’s something I need to do for them. It’s the last part of my career. It started over here and the full house was chanting my name. It was my same thing in Chennai, but it will be good to come back and play whatever I can.”, Dhoni further explained.

Dhoni lauds Rayudu and Rahane

Reflecting on his unique style of cricket, Dhoni mentioned that fans resonate with his approach, which is unorthodox yet effective. He believes that every trophy or series victory brings its own set of challenges, and during critical moments, it is crucial for individuals to be mentally prepared. Dhoni praised the experienced Ajinkya Rahane for guiding the younger players and offering support whenever they feel unsure. He also lauded teammate Ambati Rayudu‘s commitment and revealed their shared history playing for India A. Dhoni expressed confidence in Rayudu’s ability to deliver something exceptional whenever he steps onto the field.

“When it comes to the crunch, you need to have your individuals ready. The amount of pressure every individual can deal with is different. We tried to do that. Ajinkya [Rahane] is experienced, but if they [youngsters] are confused we chat with them. The special thing about Rayudu if he’s on the field he always gives his 100%. We played for India A together – he played spin and fast bowlers equally well. I felt always he will do something special. He’s also like me who doesn’t use a phone a lot.”, Dhoni said while concluding his speech.