“I have 8-9 months to decide, why take that headache now”: MS Dhoni on talks about retirement

Xtra Time Web Desk: Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni on Tuesday said he has 8-9 months to decide whether he will be back in the IPL next season or not. The talisman also made it clear he will always be associated with the CSK franchise, be it as a player or as a support staff.

“I don’t know. I have 8-9 months to decide. The small auction will be around December. So why to take that headache right now? I have ample time to decide. But, I will always be there for CSK whether it’s in the playing form or sitting somewhere outside,” MS Dhoni told after CSK defeated Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 at Chepauk.

Batting first, Chennai Super Kings posted 172/7 in 20 overs while riding on a fantastic 60 off 40 by Ruturaj Gaikwad and 40 off 34 by Devon Conway before Ajinkya Rahane (17), Ambati Rayudu (17) and Ravindra Jadeja (22) carved out superb cameo to take the four-time IPL winners to a competitive total in Chennai.

Chasing 173, Gujarat Titans lost Wriddhiman Saha (12) and Hardik Pandya (8) early in the innings before losing Dasun Shanaka (17) and David Miller (4) to restrict them to 88/4 in 13 overs. Though Shubman Gill played a watchful 42-run knock off 38, the defending champions fell short by 15 runs and will now play the Qualifier 2 against the winner of Eliminator 1 (Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.