MS Dhoni should announce IPL retirement in advance, he deserves a farewell tour around India: Scott Styris

Chennai Super Kings are having a great run in the ongoing IPL 2023 as they are ranked on the top of the points table with five wins from seven matches. The MS Dhoni-led side beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 49 runs in their seventh match on April 23 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Despite being an away game for CSK, the team got immense support as most of the spectators had turned up wearing CSK jerseys to cheer for Dhoni.

Ever since the start of the IPL season, there have been talks of this being the last IPL for the ‘Captain Cool’, who has been a part of the T20 extravaganza from the inaugural edition, having led CSK to four titles. Commenting on the possibility of Dhoni playing his last season, former New Zealand and CSK player Scott Styris said that Dhoni should announce about his retirement in advancet so that he can be given a farewell tour around the country.

“I think he wouldn’t be playing now if he wasn’t in love of being in the dressing room. I hope that whenever he decides to hang up the bat, whether it’s now, or next season or many seasons later, that he announces it, because he deserves a farewell tour around the country,” said Styris on JioCinema.

Styris further called Dhoni a great servant of the game and said that everyone should get a chance to show their appreciation to Dhoni for his contributions.

“He has been a great servant of Indian cricket and the IPL. This will give everyone a chance to show their appreciation to Dhoni for his contributions not just for Indian cricket but for world cricket as well,” Styris added.

The 41-year-old is also dropping hints about his retirement with every game. Notably, he mentioned that the crowd had come to give him a farewell after the match against KKR.

“I will just say thanks for the support, they came in big numbers. Most of these guys will come in a KKR jersey next time. They are trying to give me a farewell, so thanks a lot to the crowd,” said Dhoni at the post-match presentation.

It's the last phase of my career: MS Dhoni

After CSK’s sixth game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Dhoni had mentioned that it’s the last phase of his career and it’s important for him to enjoy it. “Whatever said and done, last phase of my career, important to enjoy it. It feels good to be here. They have given a lot of love and affection. They always stay late to listen to me,” Dhoni had said.

Back in 2021, Dhoni had expressed his wish of retiring in front of CSK’s home crowd in Chennai. With the ongoing season being played in the home and away format, there is a high possibility of the legendary captain hanging up his boots at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the CSK captain has looked at his vintage best so far in the tournament, batting at a strike rate of 196.77, clobbering two fours and six sixes in five innings so far. The Chennai’s adopted son will be eager to entertain his fans with his monstrous shots in the remaining games of the tournament.