Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has dismissed the rumors, asserting that former CSK captain MS Dhoni is not likely to retire anytime soon.
MS Dhoni might be playing his final match for Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, as retirement speculations grow stronger every day. Although CSK have already completed their last home game, they are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their concluding league match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Currently, RCB stands sixth in the table with 12 points from 13 matches, having secured six wins and faced seven losses. On the other hand, CSK holds the fourth spot with 14 points from 13 games, boasting seven wins and six defeats. This match is crucial, with both teams vying for a playoff spot.
Robin Uthappa, the former CSK and India player, has dismissed these retirement rumors, expressing his belief that the legendary captain is not ready to hang up his boots just yet. Speaking on JioCinema, Uthappa voiced his confidence that CSK would be eager to thwart RCB’s playoff ambitions in their final league showdown.
“Coming to CSK, is this MS’s last run? I don’t think so, personally, I don’t think so. But, do they want to spoil RCB’s party? Definitely. Ruturaj, I think, would want to get to the knockout stage in his first season as captain. That will be a huge confidence booster for him and CSK. It’s one for the long run. Let’s see where that goes,” he said.
The defending champions have already wrapped up their final home game of the season. Now, their last league match against RCB at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru might mark Dhoni’s farewell. This game is crucial for both teams’ playoff hopes, with RCB currently in sixth place and CSK in fourth. A loss for the home side would mean elimination, while a win for CSK would secure their spot in the playoffs. Even if Gaikwad and his team lose but manage to stay within a 10% deficit of the target, they will still qualify thanks to their superior net run-rate (NRR).
This season, Dhoni has contributed 161 runs in 10 innings, with a remarkable strike rate of 226.66, showcasing the value of his brief but impactful innings.
The match is also anticipated to be a showdown between two of India’s cricketing giants, Virat Kohli and Dhoni. Kohli has been RCB’s standout player this season, amassing 661 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 155.16. His impressive performance includes a century and five half-centuries, placing him at the top of the Orange Cap race.
