The highly anticipated final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 was met with disappointment as rain played spoilsport on the scheduled day, forcing the match to be moved to Reserve Day. Fans who had gathered at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad were hoping to witness MS Dhoni, the iconic captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), lift the IPL trophy for the fifth time in his career. However, persistent rain dashed their hopes and left them waiting for another day.
The prospect of Dhoni playing on a Reserve Day brought back memories of the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand. Due to rain, that match was also shifted to Reserve Day, and it turned out to be a heartbreaking encounter for Indian fans. New Zealand’s pacers, led by Matt Henry, took advantage of the overcast conditions to put India under immense pressure early on. The match witnessed a crucial moment when Dhoni was run out by Martin Guptill, ultimately leading to India’s defeat by 18 runs. Little did anyone know at the time that it would be Dhoni’s final appearance in the Indian jersey, as he announced his retirement from international cricket a few months later.
With the IPL 2023 final heading into a Reserve Day, fans are left wondering if this could potentially be the last time they witness Dhoni’s iconic batting in the IPL as well. After the Qualifier 1 match, renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle asked Dhoni about his plans. Dhoni responded by saying that he has 8-9 months to decide whether he will play in the IPL next year or not. He mentioned the upcoming small auction in December and expressed his intention to always be there for CSK, whether on the field or off it. However, he did not provide a clear answer regarding his playing future.
As for the CSK vs. GT final on Reserve Day, various scenarios could unfold depending on the weather conditions. If play is possible, the match could proceed as normal. In the event of rain interruptions, a Super Over could be used to determine the winner. However, if the match is completely abandoned due to inclement weather, the Gujarat Titans would be declared the winners based on their higher position in the league stage of the tournament.
Fans are eagerly waiting for the Reserve Day to witness the thrilling conclusion of the IPL 2023 final and to potentially witness Dhoni’s brilliance on the field once again.
