Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday confirmed that he will participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL)'s 2023 season as he wants to bid farewell to the fans in Chennai and also travel to various places for away matches and thank his admirers for supporting him.
The Chennai Super Kings skipper, who will turn 41 in July this year, even did not rule out turning out in IPL 2024 too, saying 'you can't predict what will happen two years down the line".
Dhoni confirmed about his availability for next year during toss for his team's final match in IPL 2022 against Rajasthan Royals at the Brabourne Stadium here on Friday.
Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings since the inception of the franchise in 2008 leading them to four IPL titles, relinquished captaincy just days before the start of IPL 2022 but had to take over the reins from Ravindra Jadeja midway through this edition of IPL as the team struggled to perform.
Asked about the possibility of his returning to play IPL next year, the former India captain who had led India to world cup titles, said he will definitely be back and the reason was simple, he wants to play again in front of the fans in Chennai.
"It's a simple reason: it will be unfair to not play in Chennai and say thank you. Mumbai is one place, where, as a team and as an individual, I have got a lot of love and affection. But it wouldn't be nice to the CSK fans.
"And also, hopefully, next year there will be an opportunity where the teams will be traveling so it will be like (saying) thank you to all the different places where we will be playing games at different venues," said Dhoni.
He then continued in the same vein and said 2023 may not be his last year in IPL.
"Whether it will be my last year or not that's a big question because you know we can't really predict about something two years down the line, but definitely I'll be working hard to come back strong next year," said Dhoni.
It is not clear whether he will return as CSK captain next year or will relinquish captaincy like this year. That would be clear if CSK manage to rope in someone who can lead the squad
CSK vs RR: Will MS Dhoni reveal his retirement plans?
As seen in the various Tweets below, fans are eagerly awaiting MS Dhoni's statement on whether IPL 2022 season will be his last or not. While the Chennai Super Kings have not had the best of tournaments, as they are likely to finish in ninth place, it is important to note that Dhoni did not lead the team for most of the campaign. The 40-year-old had handed over the captaincy to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who seemed to find it difficult to manage the responsibility of both the captaincy and his own form.
MS Dhoni's legacy in IPL
MS Dhoni has not only been one of Team India's best captains in history, but he is also one of the most successful skippers in the IPL. The 40-year-old has led the Chennai Super Kings to four titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021), only one behind five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI). And that is not it, as, under Dhoni's leadership, the team has also won two Champions League T20 titles, level with MI.
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