MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings registered a comprehensive 7-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL 2023 fixture at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. It was a near-perfect game for the Men in Yellow who won the toss, opted to bowl first and then restricted the opposition to 134/7 before chasing down the total with 7 wickets in hand and 8 balls to spare.
CSK skipper Dhoni did not get a chance to bat but played a pivoltol role in Chennai's victory with his captaincy and superb wicketkeeping which saw him take a superb catch, affecting a stumping in a fraction of a second as well as getting a run out off a direct throw off the last ball of the SRH innings.
At the post match presenatation, Dhoni jokingly said that he wasn't pleased as he did not get the Best Catch Award. However, in a massive statement he admitted that this was the last stage of his career. His response came after presenter Harsha Bhogle asked him to share his feelings for the huge roar and support he gets wherever he goes but especially in Chennai.
"All said and done, it's the last phase of my career, however long I play. After two years, the fans have had the opportunity to come here and watch, feels good to be here. Crowd has given us a lot of love and affection," Dhoni said.
"Not getting enough chances to bat, but no complaints. I was hesitant to bat second because I had that feeling there won't be a lot of dew. When there are chances of dew, you have to bat second," he added.
"Spinners once they came in, bowled a very good length. Fast bowlers once they came back, especially Pathirana, bowled superbly," said Dhoni, sharing his reading of the game.
Notably, there have been reports suggesting this could be Dhoni's final year in IPL even as there has not been an official confirmation from him or his franchise.