IPL 2023: “The harder thing would be working hard for nine months and try to play another IPL”, MS Dhoni 

The defending champions Gujarat Titans failed to defend their IPL title and gave away their trophy to the previous four-time and current five-time IPL title winner, Chennai Super Kings. The 16 season of the IPL had one of the most dramatic endings, which a tournament can witness. 

With an almost century of thrilling spells, from the journey to the last match of a player to rain playing a spoilsport leading to postponing the match on the reserve day, the T20 game saw its beginning on 28th May and ending on 30th May at midnight. Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni got into an exclusive conversation with Harsha Bhogle before he invited his team members to lift the IPL trophy.

MS Dhoni was asked about his retirement plans after Chennai Super Kings’ tied with Mumbai Indians to lift their fifth IPL title. In the previous match, MS Dhoni said that he has around 8 to 9 months to think about if he would like to play the next season of the IPL as the player and captain of Chennai Super Kings. 

MS Dhoni in the post-match ceremony answering questions on his retirement plans 

After the clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, MS Dhoni was again asked this question if he would like to announce his retirement as he has won the trophy. 

To this question, MS Dhoni replied that even though it may seem that it is the right time to announce his retirement, but, it would be an easy way to walk away from his fans, hence, he would like to work hard for the next nine months and try to play another IPL considering his body supports his decision. He also called his decision a gift to his fans. 

“Looking for an answer? Circumstantially, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love I have received all over. The easy thing would be to walk away from here, but the harder thing would be working hard for nine months and try to play another IPL. It would be a gift for the fans from my side, won’t be easy on the body,” said the Winning Team (Chennai Super Kings) Captain MS Dhoni in the post match ceremony when he was asked about his retirement plans. 

Harsha Bhogle also asked MS Dhoni about his reaction as he played his first match in their Chepauk stadium after years. MS Dhoni talked about how his eyes became watery as he constantly heard chants of his name echoing in the stadium. 

“You do get emotional, the first game at CSK [home ground], everyone was chanting my name. My eyes were full of water. I needed to take some time off in the dugout and realised I need to enjoy this. I think they love me for what I am, they love that I am so grounded and I don’t try to portray something I’m not. Just keep it simple,” said skipper, MS Dhoni on being asked about his emotions while playing the first match at the M Chidambaram Stadium.

A typical MS Dhoni invited his team members to lift the IPL trophy and stood at the back enjoying the moment. He invited Ambati Rayudu to lift the trophy (who announced his retirement just before the final match of IPL 2023 and played the last game of his career) along with Ravindra Jadeja, who smashed the winning runs for Chennai Super Kings in the last over. The team members then ran over to the trio to click the winning photographs with the team’s fifth IPL title.