By the looks of it, one can say and undoubtedly so, that it is going to be a hugely emotional moment. Of that, there is little doubt. And what one can also say, should this in any way be correct, about this moment is that it will be marked by a wave of shock and awe and shall signal the end of an era. The kind of vibes when a glorious chapter in the history of the game is tending to reach its ultimate or very last page. For the longest possible time, there’s been a sense of concern about Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s participation in the ongoing season for this Chennai Superkings side. Questions like- when will he play or when can we finally expect the big man to turn up in the famously familiar bright yellows have had fans wondering for the longest possible time.
What’s been known is this that owing to a calf injury, the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni was not seen in any possible way playing even a single IPL contest this season. And CSK missed him a great deal. So did legions of fans, undoubtedly so! But tonight could well be that final occasion where Dhoni gets to play a game and that too, for the last ever time for this Chennai Super Kings.
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None other than Ravichandran Ashwin is out with a positive statement of sorts sharing that Dhoni could be featuring for his Chennai side for one last time in tonight’s game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad side. The same is slated to be held at the iconic Chepauk. It’s a ground Chennai’s heart beats for. It’s been the witness to many an enthralling saga that had had Dhoni all round it.
One last contest slated to happen at Chennai in this edition of the Indian Premier League and so one could likely see Dhoni in it.
Dhoni had been on the sidelines for quite some time now. Even in the last season, he wasn’t actively playing in all the games. And played the golden role of the finisher on only a few occasions. For someone who has commanded the love, adoration and respect of the fans for his timing, methodical approach, calm and calculated ways of playing, Dhoni’s been an incredible legend. It’ll be hard to see him go away from the amazing CSK camp but then, such are the changing vagaries of the game and time, above anything else.
Here is a statement from Dhoni himself that’s drawing a lot of attention
“I have always planned my cricket. The last game I played was in Ranchi. The last home game in ODI was at my hometown in Ranchi. So, hopefully, my last T20 will be in Chennai. Whether it’s next year or in five years’ time, we don’t really know!”
Dhoni had said, dropping hint about a potential retirement timeline 5 years ago.
His overall record
278 matches- a total of 5,439 runs at an average of 38.30, with a strike rate of 137.45. As far as the best batting knock is concerned, then that happens to be the 84*! He struck 24 half centuries and hit as many as north of 235 sixes.
