CSK lost to PBKS in their last match of the IPL 2023.
Wherever the CSK team has gone to play their away games, stadiums have been painted in yellow, with fans anticipating this to be the last season as a player for the Chennai Super Kings skipper.
MS Dhoni had said before the IPL 2023 began that he will not retire until he says thanks to fans all over the country for their love since the tournament was back to home and away format, after three years due to the Covid pandemic.
Even CSK coach Stephen Fleming was asked if he is aware of Dhoni's plans beyond this season.
However, the Kiwi coach refused to give a definite answer to the query and instead said that Dhoni, known lovingly as ‘Thala’ has not indicated anything about his retirement.
"Dhoni hasn't indicated anything this as the last season", said Fleming when asked about the CSK skipper's future during the press conference after the match against PBKS.
Fleming also defended the CSK bowlers despite them being unable to defend a total of 200, as PBKS won the game by four wickets on the last ball thanks to the heroics of Jitesh Sharma, Sikandar Raza, and Liam Livingstone amongst others.
Deshpande bowled the 16th over during the Punjab run chase in which he conceded 24 runs which proved to be crucial in the final analysis. Punjab scored the required three runs off the last ball.
"Not really. The boys have done well. You have to acknowledge (Tushar) Desphande, and Akash Singh ... They are leading the attack, a tough ask. On a wicket that was getting better with a little bit of dew, it was always going to be tough.
You can find a lot of things to be critical. But you have to be realistic. Really good batting, and some power batting from their hitters. It is a high-pressure game and tough on bowlers at the moment," Fleming said.
The CSK coach said the total of 200 was a very competitive one but CSK could have scored more.
"We could have got a few more. The last four overs weren't as productive as we would have liked. Any time you cross 200, we were well and truly in the game, The impact player has pushed totals up a little bit. Still a very competitive score," he added.
Fleming also praised his countrymate Devon Conway who top-scored for CSK with a knock of 92* on Sunday.
Fleming said, "Yeah, impressive. He just finds a way, doesn't he. He doesn't always look that good in the eye and other times he looks exquisite. He is just a player that finds a way. He has a game, he has a good strike rate, we are really happy with Devon's contribution. Certainly the rock of the innings, we could bat around him."
CSK will next face Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on May 3.
(PTI inputs)