Ahmedabad. After winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) title for the fifth time, Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said that if his body permits, he may return to play the tournament once again next year.
“This is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love I have received from all sides…it’s easy to leave,” Dhoni said after his team’s resounding five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Tuesday. But the tough job will be to work hard for nine months and try to play one more IPL.”
Gujarat had set a target of 215 runs in front of Chennai on the basis of a stormy half-century from Sai Sudarshan (47 balls, 96 runs), which was reduced to 171 runs in 15 overs due to rain. Chennai eventually needed 10 runs off the last two balls. Ravindra Jadeja, who had a disappointing performance with the bat throughout the season, gave Chennai the win by hitting a six and a four off these two balls.
Dhoni said, “It will be a gift from me (to the fans), but it will not be easy for my body. You get emotional, in the first match at CSK everyone was chanting my name. Tears in my eyes.” I needed some time off in the dugout. I realized I needed to enjoy it. I think they (the audience) love me so much for who I am, they love me. That I’m grounded, I don’t try to pretend to be something I’m not.”
Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings have equaled Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians in terms of winning the most IPL titles. Apart from these two, only Kolkata Knight Riders (two) have won the trophy more than once. “This is the last part of my career. This tournament started here (in Ahmedabad) and the whole stadium is named after me,” Dhoni said. It was the same in Chennai, but it would be nice to come back and play to my potential. The kind of cricket I play, they feel they can play it. My style of play is not traditional and I Like to keep it simple. I think every trophy or bilateral series you win, it has its own challenges.
PC:mint
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