Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not retired yet. Fuelled by the love of his fans that turned every away game a home game for Dhoni made the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper not hang up his boots yet. Maybe it is Dhoni not trying to steal Ambati Rayudu's thunder but Dhoni has decided that he does not want to take the easy way out but work hard on his fitness and take the call whether he will play Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as a 42-year-old or not.
Once again, it was Harsha Bhogle asking the obvious question in the post-match presentation on behalf of millions of fans. When asked about his IPL retirement, Dhoni replied, “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 9 months and try to play another IPL. It would be a gift from me, won't be easy on the body.”
Known for his calm demeanour, Dhoni did not hold back his emotions as Ravindra Jadeja finished the game in style with a boundary off the last ball. Jadeja sprinted towards Dhoni with his arms wide open and the latter lifted him in air.
“You do get emotional, the first game at CSK everyone was chanting my name. My eyes were full of water, I needed to take some time off in the dugout. I realised I need to enjoy this. I think they love me for what I am, they love that I am so grounded, I don't try to portray something I'm not. Just keep it simple. Every trophy is special, but what is special about IPL is every crunch game you need to be ready,” the 41-year-old said.
Despite the fifth title win in a high-scoring rain-curtailed encounter on reserve day, Dhoni was critical of his bowlers as he said, “There were lapses today, the bowling department didn't work, but it was the batting department that took the pressure off them today. I do get frustrated, it is human but I try to step into their shoes, every individual deals with pressure differently. Ajinkya and a few others are experienced, so you don't worry. If anyone is confused, then can always ask.”
Dhoni had a few words to say for his teammate Rayudu who announced his retirement on May 28. He also poked fun at Rayudu for his short-temperedness which does not let CSK win the fairplay award.
“The special thing about Rayudu is he will always give his 100% when he is on his field. But with him in the team, I will never win the fairplay award. I've been playing with him for a long time, since the India A tours. He's a player who can play spin and pace equally well. It is something really special. I felt he would do something really special today, he's also like me - not someone who uses the phone often. I hope he enjoys the next phase of his life,” the former Indian captain said.
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