Even though CSK would be bested by KKR on the evening, the mood around Chepauk was as celebratory as ever.
Even Sunil Gavaskar couldn’t resist the urge. Chennai Super Kings were featuring in their final league game at their home ground of MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite a six wicket loss, the mood around Chepauk was as celebratory as ever as it was time for the CSK players to thank their fans with a final lap of honour.
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So when MS Dhoni and Co shifted their attention to the post match ceremony, Gavaskar would approach the CSK skipper and ask for his autograph on his shirt.
Dhoni would then lead his troops in a lap of honour, hitting tennis balls with a racquet into the crowd, and thanking the police officials present. In emotional scenes at the Chepauk, Dhoni seemed to thank the crowd and they him, even as he walked a lap of the stadium along with the rest of his team.
Tennis racquets were passed along, and soon Dhoni was dobbing them tennis balls into the stands, hobbling along with one knee heavily strapped. Player of the match Rinku Singh too would seek his signature and get a jersey autographed.
It may not be the last appearance for CSK at Chepauk this season, given that they are very much in contention for the playoffs, two of which will be played at the venue, but with the speculations around this being Dhoni’s final season in the IPL, the emotions across the venue ran high.
On the game Dhoni said, “The dew made a big difference in the second innings. We can’t really blame any of our bowlers. Just that the conditions had a big impact on the game. When we bowled the first ball in the second innings, we knew we needed 180. But there was no way we could have got 180 on that pitch.”
The CSK captain also praised the efforts of Shivam Dube, who was the leading scorer for the men in yellow on the night. “Very happy with what Shivam has done, but important think is that he is not satisfied and keeps improving.”
With 15 points in 13 games, CSK will face Delhi Capitals in the Indian capital for their final league stage match on Saturday, May 20.
First published on: 15-05-2023 at 00:30 IST
