NEW DELHI, Nov 1: The Sunday’s IPL match of the Chennai Super King against Kings XI Punjab will not be former India captain M S Dhoni’s last outing for the Chennai team. Dhoni confirmed that he will be back in the CSK’s yellow costume in 2021 season also.
With CSK being ousted from the playoffs, first time since the IPL began except the two years when the tem remained suspended, many fans apprehended that the team’s last league match on Sunday could also be the end of 39-year old Dhoni who has already retired from all formats for the India team.
The commentator Danny Morrison pointedly asked Dhoni at the toss in the match against Punjab team, “Could this be your last game in yellow?” And prompt came Dhoni’s reply, “Definitely not my last game in yellow.”
But with CSK not being able to make it through to the playoffs, there are expectations that the franchise will be making big changes going into the next season. This is the first time in IPL history that CSK have played in the tournament and have not qualified for the playoffs.
Dhoni was expected to play the IPL for at least two seasons after announcing his international retirement on August 15 after the T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia in October-November, was postponed due to Corona pandemic.
Dhoni’s final India appearance happened to be the 2019 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.
The IPL next year is scheduled to be held in the usual April-May window but the dates could change depending on the COVID situation.
(Manas Dasgupta)