The recently concluded season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has left a lasting impression, particularly due to the contributions of MS Dhoni, according to former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja. The final of IPL 2023, which saw Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings emerge victorious against the Gujarat Titans, held special significance as it was played on the reserve day for the first time in the history of the tournament. Raja, while reflecting on some of the most memorable moments of the season, highlighted an incident involving Sunil Gavaskar and Dhoni, which he believes encapsulates the essence of the IPL.
Raja stated, “This IPL will be remembered for the color yellow, and for MS Dhoni. His humility, the Dhonimania, his captaincy, his calmness, and his keeping will be remembered for the ages. But most of all, this IPL will be remembered for the moment when a legend like Sunil Gavaskar asked MS Dhoni to sign an autograph on his shirt. There cannot be a bigger compliment for MS Dhoni.”
The former PCB chairman also recognized the emergence of young batting talents such as Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who he believes will continue to shine in the future. Raja emphasized that these players will decorate the IPL grounds for many years to come.
Describing the 16th edition of the IPL as the greatest season ever, Raja further elaborated on its standout features. He mentioned the inclusion of players from small nations who made a significant impact, as well as the fact that having big names in the coaching staff did not guarantee success for teams. Raja also praised the fans for their enthusiasm and applauded the impressive shot-making and fielding on display throughout the tournament.
He highlighted the exceptional bowling performances of the Gujarat Titans and the prevalence of leg spin bowling as noteworthy aspects of the season. Raja concluded by stating that the IPL 2023 possessed a “wow factor” and declared it to be the biggest spectacle in the history of the tournament.
Raja’s assessment of the IPL 2023 season reflects the admiration for MS Dhoni’s influence and the enthralling performances delivered by players from various backgrounds. The tournament’s ability to captivate audiences and create enduring memories has solidified its status as a remarkable showcase of cricketing talent and excitement.
