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Ever since MS Dhoni retired from international cricket dated August 15, 2020, after playing for the last time in Indian colours during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England, the retirement rumours surrounding his career in the IPL took off in a big way. Over the last four years, MSD has silenced these speculations in the wittiest of ways during his pre and post-match chats as the captain of Chennai Super Kings.
As recently as today, on May 3, 2023, during the chat at toss time for the Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings game at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Danny Morrison said to MS Dhoni, “This wonderful swansong tour, your last, how are you enjoying it?,” to which he wittingly responded, “Oh, so you have decided this is my last.”
This blockbuster statement from the CSK captain has sent the entire social media into a feeding frenzy while providing much needed relief to MSD fans, who want to see him play in the IPL as long as possible.
Talking about the previous interviews from MS Dhoni quashing the retirement rumours, it was on May 20, 2022, before Chennai Super Kings faced off against Rajasthan Royals at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, he was quoted as saying at toss time to Ian Bishop, “Whether (2023) will be my last year or not, that’s a big question because you can’t really predict something two years down the line. But definitely I will be working hard to come back strong next year.”
Meanwhile, on October 15, 2021, during the post-match chat after CSK won their 4th IPL title by defeating KKR at the Dubai International Stadium, Harsha Bhogle mentioned, “You (MS Dhoni) can be so proud of the legacy you have left behind for Chennai Super Kings and they can build on it,” to which the legendary wicketkeeper cheekily replied, “But still, I haven’t left behind.”
Last but not the least, when Danny Morrison had asked MSD, this time on November 1, 2020, “Could this be your last game ever in yellow?,” at the toss time before Chennai played against Punjab at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, he was categoric in his response and said, “Definitely Not.”
The zeal from MS Dhoni to keep on playing for CSK amidst all the retirement rumours is a testament to how much he believes in the franchise and how much he wants to give back to them and the fans for all their love and admiration over the years. The question of MSD’s retirement will always be a pertinent one in the mind and psyche of fans and experts alike until he walks away from cricket for good as a player.
