The suspense on whether MS Dhoni will continue to play for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after the IPL 2023 has been keeping the fans and other followers of the league on their toes. Dhoni performed an emotional lap of honor in the stadium during his final league game of the season at Chepauk, and fans stayed until late to see their hero.
Many feel that MS Dhoni will not be playing in the IPL next season, though CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan and Suresh Raina have said that they hope that ‘Thala’ will continue to play in the tournament for some more time.
On the other hand, former England captain, Kevin Pietersen made an interesting remark on how MS Dhoni can contribute to CSK going forward.
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"I think everybody wants to keep going. With the impact player becoming more relevant now, I think he can. Yes, absolutely (on Dhoni fixing his knee issue). This is the one tournament he needs to get up for. He can rest his body. If something is wrong with his knee, he can try and sort it out over the next couple of months. Why not? He is a fit guy, he is an athlete," Pietersen said after the match on Star Sports.
Pietersen was truly touched by the love fans have for Dhoni and hailed the human being the CSK skipper is.
"He must love this. Why would he want to give this away? He is under no pressure. He doesn't have to perform. He just needs to be MS Dhoni. And for his kids, for his wife, for his family, how amazing must this have been? Watching this lap of honor.
He is inspiring. You want to play well for him. You want to be the best version of himself in a team that he is captaining. We have seen that for however many years. He cares so much and when the captain cares so much, everybody starts to feel it. It resonates," said Pietersen.
"Look at the people who have stayed back to see, to try and touch him because of the person that he is. He is also an incredible human being away from the cricket field. These are wonderful scenes, hugely emotional seasons. This is such a fabulous gesture," he continued.
A win in their last league match against Delhi Capitals could ensure CSK a top-two finish on the points table and Dhoni will return to Chepauk for the playoffs.
