Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that he expects MS Dhoni to return to play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023. came after Gavaskar’s remarks CSK were knocked out Mumbai Indians in the race for the playoffs after losing by 5 wickets in Match 59 of IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Gavaskar said that Dhoni’s performance in IPL 2022 shows that he is still keen and excited about the game and that he is definitely not going to retire. Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 but the former World Cup winning captain continues to represent CSK in the IPL.
Dhoni was CSK’s top scorer on Thursday with an unbeaten 36 as he tried unsuccessfully to bat in the full quota of 20 overs with a tail. CSK were bundled out for 97, only the second time they have posted a total of less than 100 in IPL history, when the top order was rocked by Daniel Sams and Jasprit Bumrah.
Dhoni has scored 199 runs in 12 matches at an average of 39.80 and is striking in excess of 130. The 40-year-old hit up those big guys, recalled fans on several occasions. Dhoni also successfully finished games for CSK more than once.
“Well, I mean look at the way he has played. He is clearly showing that he is very keen, yet very excited about the game,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
“On the field, it was saying a lot today. He was running from one end to the other, which means he was curious. He senses an opportunity when those 2 or 3 early wickets fall. We have him Have seen this happen regularly.
“Which means ‘definitely not’. Yes (he will continue), that’s exactly what he said when he was asked (in 2020),” he said.
IPL 2022: full coverage , Mark sheet
Gavaskar mentions Dhoni Popular One-Liner ‘Definitely Not’ When he was asked after CSK’s last match in IPL 2022 if he would consider retiring from IPL. Dhoni returned to lead Chennai in IPL 2021 to lead them to their fourth title.
Dhoni had highlighted his IPL future in the lead up to his game against Sunrisers, which was also his first match as captain in IPL 2022. The impressive captain said that he will definitely turn yellow for CSK next year.
“You must see me in the yellow jersey” [next year]Be it the yellow jersey or any other yellow jersey, it’s a different matter.”
CSK were the second team to be knocked out of the playoff race as 4-time champions joined 5-time champions MI, who are at the bottom of the points table with just 3 wins from 12 matches.
CSK has had a normal season this year. Dhoni decided to step down as captain before the start of the season and handed over the baton to Ravindra Jadeja. However, the star all-rounder left the job only after 8 matches in the season.
Jadeja was ruled out of the remainder of the season on Wednesday after it emerged that the all-rounder had suffered a rib injury.