'Not my last game': Dhoni says he'll be back next year

Abu Dhabi: Has former India captain MS Dhoni played his last match? The 39-year-old, playing in Chennai Super Kings’ 14th and final match of this year’s IPL, asserted he would be back next year. “Definitely not,” replied Dhoni at toss when asked by commentator Danny Morrison if today’s match would be his last for CSK.

In August this year, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan had said that Dhoni would be part of the franchise for the 2021 and 2022 IPL. Dhoni was the face of CSK for the first eight editions of the league, leading them to two titles (2010 & 2011) and four runner-up finishes. He was then drafted by Rising Pune Supergiant in the ninth edition of the league when CSK were suspended over spot-fixing/betting charges.

When CSK returned after a ban, he was the first player to be retained by CSK. The 2018 season had a fairytale ending, with CSK adding another IPL winner’s trophy under Dhoni. CSK reached the final in 2019 before losing to Mumbai Indians, but this year’s edition was a nightmare, and the team became the first to be eliminated. He had announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15. TNS, agencies