IPL 2023: MS Dhoni says he has 'ample time' to decide on retirement

MS Dhoni cleared further air on his retirement from professional cricket as the Chennai Super Kings captain said he is not thinking about retirement yet as he has ample amount of time left before he decides if he wants to return for next season's Indian Premier League.

MS Dhoni made the revelation during the post-match presentation ceremony of GT vs CSK match as his side reached the final for the record 10th time by winning the match by 15 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.

" You (Harsha Bhogle) are asking me if I will come and play here (Chennai or not). I don't know (if I will be back next year), four months staying away from home, takes a toll so I don't know yet but I have 8-9 months to decide," said MS Dhoni at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"There's IPL mini-auction to come before that, I have ample time to decide, Why take that headache now. I'll always be there for CSK, where it's playing or something outside."

Speaking further on his side reaching the final for the 10th time, the four-time IPL-winning captain said this can't be just another final for him as this is two months of hard work done by him and his side.

"IPL is too big to say it's just another final. Used to be 8 top teams, but now it's 10. I won't say it's just another final. It's hard work of 2 months. Everybody has contributed," he said.

MS Dhoni has received a loud cheer at every stadium he has visited with Chennai Super Kings to play this season as fans have been sensing his retirement at the age of 41. The player himself has acknowledged that fans have been predicting his retirement while the player has been bidding farewell speeches at every venue.

Dhoni will now have the opportunity to win the IPL title for the fifth time as a captain as he won them all previously with CSK while once also reaching the final with now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants.