MS Dhoni in IPL 2023: CSK's Numero Uno may have bid adieu Chepauk with 1 Run

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni managed to score only 1 run in the IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 on Tuesday (May 23) against the Gujarat Titans.

The Chennai Super Kings captain came out to bat in the 18th over, and could only manage a single run off 2 balls. There was a massive uproar at the Chepauk on Tuesday when he came to bat. The home crowd was anticipating one blockbuster swansong of their adopted yet favourite son.

But it ended in a disappointment for MSD and those roaring in yellow inside the MA Chidambaram Stadium as Dhoni just scored 1 run. Mohit Sharma's slower found the bat of Dhoni, but it also found the hands of Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya, which silence the crowd.

MS Dhoni perhaps ends at Cheapuk with 1 - the number where he ranks in CSK Hearts

The number 1 is quite a significant digit. It often suggests an entity which is at the summit of a quantifiable method or any other measurements. MS Dhoni is definitely the Numero Uno in Chennai. The CSK franchise epitomizes Dhoni, who has been the soldier of their good and bad days over the years.

Dhoni is at CSK since it's inception and has been a stalwart for them. He has given them innumerable moments of rejoice over the years, along with the 4 IPL titles they have won under his guidance. Hence this 1 run off 2 balls may hold a poetic significance over the coming years.

Amid the contagious speculation of Dhoni's retirement after this season, if we consider it right, MS Dhoni may have played his final match at Chepauk. Even if CSK lose today, Dhoni will still play at least one more match for CSK, but it will be in Ahmedabad either in the Qualifier 2 or in the Final (if they win against GT).

But if the veteran decides to retire at the end of the season, the 1 run that he scored today may be symbolized as his status at CSK over the years.

CSK's Middle Order Collapsed

Now coming back to cricket, CSK's middle order had a dismal outing in the Qualifier 1. They had a superb start with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, but none of their middle-order batters could continue the momentum, and Dhoni is also a part of that.

Shivam Dube (1 off 3 balls) went cheaply. Both Ajinkya Rahane (17 off 10 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (17 off 9 balls) had starts but they failed to convert them into a big score, which halted their progress in the middle overs.

MS Dhoni's inning also lasted just two balls as the extra push to get them to over 180 mark evaporated. Ravindra Jadeja played well for his decent 22 runs, while Moeen Ali scored fast in the last over to get them to 172/7 at the end of 20 overs.