Will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2023 for Chennai Super Kings, captain cool says 'definitely yes'

Mumbai, 20: There is no Chennai Super Kings without Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the captain of the Yellow Brigade! The latest developments with the franchise certainly prove the above-mentioned statement correct.

On May 1, the former India cricketer returned as the captain of CSK after his successor Ravindra Jadeja gave up the responsibility of leading the side owing to constant setbacks in the ongoing IPL 2022 season.

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A sea of yellow descended at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai to cheer for their favourite players as Super Kings come out to play their final match of IPL 2022 against Rajasthan Royals on May 20.

Everyone was eagerly waiting for that one question commentator Ian Bishop would ask Dhoni at the toss - whether this will be his last game in CSK jersey. And much to the delight of CSK and Dhoni fans, the legendary India cricketer said 'definitely not'.

The crowd at Brabourne erupted in a huge cheer after the wicketkeeper-batter responded.

Will Dhoni Play IPL 2023 For CSK?

As is the case anywhere in the country, the four-time champion captain received a rousing welcome for one last time at the toss in IPL 2022.

When commentator Ian Bishop asked Dhoni if the fans would see him in the yellow jersey next year, to which he replied, "Definitely. It's a simple reason: it will be unfair to not play in Chennai and say thank you. Mumbai is one place, where as a team and as an individual I have got a lot of love and affection. But it wouldn't be nice to the CSK fans. And also, hopefully, next year there will be an opportunity where the teams will be travelling so it will be like a thank you to all the different places where we will be playing games at different venues. Whether it will be my last year or not that's a big question because you know we can't really predict something two years down the line, but definitely, I'll be working hard to come back strong next year."

Earlier this month when he took over the team's reigns from Jadeja, Dhoni came up with a cryptic response and said, "You'll definitely see me in the yellow jersey, whether it is this one, or some other one, you never know."

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Just before the start of IPL 2022, Dhoni - who had guided CSK to four IPL titles - shocked everyone by stepping down as the captain of the second most successful team in the history of the league. Jadeja was appointed the captain for the season but the move didn't pay off.

Back in 2021 after he guided his team to their fourth IPL trophy, Dhoni had said that he'll want to retire from the IPL after playing in front of the home crowd at MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk). But this year's IPL couldn't be hosted outside Maharashtra due to the COVID-19 pandemic and bio bubble. Hopefully, the cricketing carnival in 2023 will be hosted across the country and the franchises will get to play at their home venues.