'I am telling you this with 2,000 per cent certainty this will be MS Dhoni's final season': Former CSK batter

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni has been in stupendous form with the bat in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

SportsTak

• Sat • 15 Apr 2023

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni has been in stupendous form with the bat in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. While Dhoni is still tight-lipped over whether he would continue to play IPL after this season or not, his former teammate Kedar Jadhav has revealed that it will be the legend's last hurrah.

“I am telling you this with 2,000 per cent certainty that this will be MS Dhoni’s final season as a player in IPL. I am telling you this exclusively," former CSK batter Jadhav was quoted as saying by CricketNext.

“Dhoni will turn 42 this July. Although still fit, Dhoni is also a human after all. So, I think this will be his final season. Fans shouldn’t be missing any of his matches, they should be watching every ball he’s in the field," he added.

Wherever Dhoni goes to bat, fans flock to the stadiums. Against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium, Dhoni was ready to promote himself up the order to recreate the iconic World Cup 2011 final six. While the 41-year-old has given the finisher role to himself and bats down the order, his impact on the viewership has been huge.

“We also broke record on JioCinema the other day when Dhoni was batting," the 38-year-old said referring to the 2.2 crore viewers in the thrilling clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) where Sandeep Sharma had the last laugh by defending five balls off the last ball.

The soon to be 42-year-old has faced just 27 deliveries and scored 58 runs at a strike rate of 214.81. He has hit six sixes and two fours in his cameos including two against express English pacer Mark Wood.

During the unbeaten 32 against RR, Dhoni batted with an injured knee. He was also seen limping off the ground. There were questions about his fitness and whether he will be fit for the next clash. On April 13, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan clarified that Dhoni will play in the next clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.