‘Thala bhai retirement mat lena’ – Fans fear MS Dhoni retirement as Devon Conway spotted practising keeping

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 could be the last Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s last season in the competition. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter has been part of all 16 editions of the IPL so far and is one of the icons of the tournament and Indian cricket. However, the 41-year-old has shown no signs of ageing, given his shape and form.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in the first season of the IPL in 2008, finished as runners-up under the leadership of Dhoni, losing the female to Rajasthan Royals (RR). Only two seasons later, CSK clinched their maiden IPL title, beating Mumbai Indians (MI) in the final. And in the following season in 2011, they retained the trophy, beating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the final.

CSK added two more titles to their trophy cabinet in 2018 and 2021, with Dhoni leading the side on all four occasions. In IPL 2023, Dhoni is still the captain and is the only captain from the opening edition to still remain an active player.

Dhoni to hang up his gloves soon?

Dhoni not only led CSK to numerous titles but also has been one of the best players on the side. He has appeared in 239 matches, and scored 5037 runs at an average of 39.35 and a strike rate of 135.77. In the ongoing season, he has already set the stage ablaze with some stunning cameos at the backend of the innings to give the side the finishing touch.

Dhoni has scored 59 runs in five matches, remaining unbeaten thrice, striking at 210.71 with six sixes and two fours. Although Chennai’s favourite son, who is affectionately called ‘Thala’ by the CSK fans, has shown no signs of slowing down, an image of his teammate Devon Conway practising wicketkeeping has put a few doubts in fans’ minds. Perhaps, it could mean that there could be an impact player strategy in play, or that Conway could be the one to take over the baton behind the stumps for CSK.

Here is how fans reacted to Conway practising wicketkeeping:

We should give dhoni a great farewell he was the best captain in International matches for us end is inevitable but we all should cherish that moment that he was there on that pitch as a captain. We all can be divided by thala VK but on endgame we all should be a cricket fan!

— Pritom Roy (@pritomroy18) April 19, 2023

This is not a big news but there is something which makes me emotional seeing a person other than MSD standing behind the stumps wearing CSK jersey 🥲

— Ramya S (@RamyaS03623304) April 19, 2023

If Dhoni doesn't play the next season…
Retain Rutu,Moeen,Jaddu,Theekshana,Dube and Conway for mini auction and build a whole new fresh team..

— Riddhesh Rahalkar (@Riddhesh2102) April 20, 2023

How about msd as impact player and make someone else to keep

— Athish (@lababdar22) April 17, 2023

Thala bhai nahi troll karuga bas retirement mat lena😭

— Chalak Billu (@chalakbilllllu) April 19, 2023

End of era nearing pic.twitter.com/MFGpLVEmpY

— °♋෴♋° (@MrCHOKER_360) April 19, 2023

We're in the endgame now 😭

— Ritvik (@kohli_fanatic) April 19, 2023

Won't be surprised if Dhoni uses himself as a substitute

— Vishesh Tiwari (@visheshtiwari_) April 19, 2023

signs that this is gonna be last season of MS 😭😭

— 𝔾𝔸𝕌ℝ𝔸𝕍 (@a_gaurav19) April 19, 2023

I think Dhoni will be in fielding

— koro (@kohhhhlllli) April 19, 2023