In what became the most heartwarming moment of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India captain Sunil Gavaskar rushed to the ground after the completion of the game between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders to get an autograph from MS Dhoni. The priceless moment transpired when the Yellow Army, led by its virtuoso leader, was taking a lap of honour in front of a jam-packed MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 14 (Sunday).
Gavaskar, who was doing the post-match duty for the host broadcasters, rushed towards Dhoni and got an autograph on his shirt.
Watch the video here:
"Who doesn't love him? What he has done for Indian cricket over the years has been amazing. What is most important is the role model that he has been. So many youngsters look up to him," Gavaskar told Star Sports.
“Thank you very much, I borrowed a pen. As soon as I heard they were going on a lap, I kept it with me,” he added.
Before even IPL 2023 commenced over a month ago, fans and former cricketers began speculating about Dhoni's future. There were numerous reports claiming that IPL 2023 might be the last time Dhoni plays for the Men in Yellow. Having said that, Dhoni himself has come out and said that it is the fans who trying to give him a send-off and that he has not thought about retirement.
Just like millions of fans and other former cricketers, Gavaskar urged Dhoni to keep playing even after the completion of IPL 2023. The cricketer-turned-pundit voiced the idea of how Dhoni can keep playing as an impact player in the future.
"KP (Kevin Pietersen) spoke about it earlier, about the Impact Player. As an impact player, he can stick around and play. Players like him come once in a century, not even once in a generation. And therefore, you just want to see more and more of them. We are hoping this is not the last hurrah and that he will be around for some more time to come," Gavaskar told Star Sports.
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