MS Dhoni on Friday put to rest speculations around his participation in the IPL, saying he will “definitely” play in the T20 league next year (IPL 2023). Chennai Super Kings talisman skipper MS Dhoni on Friday confirmed that he will “definitely” play in the IPL next year (IPL 2023) as not doing so would be “unfair” to the city after which the franchise is named.
MS Dhoni put to rest speculations around his future in the T20 league as Chennai, which treats him like its own, erupted in joy over the prospect of witnessing ‘Thala’ at a jam-packed Chepauk next season. MS Dhoni, who returned as Chennai captain after Ravindra Jadeja’s exit from the role midway through the season, scored 232 runs in 14 matches including a match-defining 28 against Mumbai Indians. The seasoned keeper-batter turned back the clock to hit Jaydev Unadkat for a four off the last ball of the game.
MS Dhoni Will Take A Break For 2-3 Months And Will Be Up In The Mountains With His Regiment: Ravi Shastri
While Chennai – one of the most successful sides in the IPL – didn’t manage to defend their title after finishing ninth in the league standings, MS Dhoni went back to his vintage self on a couple of occasions. He also hit an unbeaten 8-ball 21 including a four and two maximums against Delhi Capitals.
As Chennai fans went gaga over MS Dhoni’s decision to continue, former India head coach Ravi Shastri underlined the captain’s fitness levels that help him keep going. Ravi Shastri also spoke about MS Dhoni’s two-month sabbatical that saw him serve his paramilitary regiment back in 2019.
“There is no question about that. It’s good that they have made the announcement now, it cuts all the speculation, all the drama that goes behind it. He has one of the best leaders the country has ever produced, especially in white-ball cricket. The announcement must be heartening for the CSK fans more than anything else,” Ravi Shastri said.
“He is not (any ordinary player). He will be up in the mountains with his regiment. He will take a break for 2-3 months. He will come and play some cricket. He will then have one big over and he will get going.”
CSK began the season with five losses in five games before registering two wins on the trot. Unfortunately, they lost their 8th game as well which meant their playoff hopes were virtually over only to see MS Dhoni back as skipper. 8 matches into the season, Ravindra Jadeja, who was given over control 2 days before the competition, ventured down from the job, giving back the captaincy to MS Dhoni.
MS Dhoni Probably Surprised Himself With The Way He Batted: Ravi Shastri
Chennai endured one of their worst IPL campaigns, as they went out of the reckoning for a play-offs spot quite early in the season. But Ravi Shastri said MS Dhoni “surprised” himself with his batting display, which was an end result of his exemplary fitness levels.
“When you see the amount he trains, he is not someone who keeps running around the ground and picks up weights in the gym, he is someone who plays other sports. He likes to do things outdoor to keep his fitness going, play badminton or any other sport.”
“Fitness is his key. But I think he has enjoyed his cricket this season, more than anything else, The way he has batted, the way he has kept. That sense of enjoyment has come back. He has come back and probably surprised himself with the way he has batted,” Shastri further added.
After a disappointing IPL 2020 (200 runs) and IPL 2021 (114 runs) with the bat, MS Dhoni scored 232 runs in IPL 2022 averaging 33.14 in 14 games with 1 fifty besides his name. Chennai Super Kings allrounder Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the remainder of the IPL on May 11 due to an injury.
Consequently, he was released by CSK and returned home. Talking about Ravindra Jadeja’s performance, he had managed to score just 116 runs at a modest strike rate of 118 in 10 games. His highest score with the bat this season was only 26. With the ball, he had picked up 5 wickets.