On Tuesday, in front of an eager home crowd longing to witness M.S. Dhoni’s triumph in the Indian Premier League once more, the Chennai Super Kings will be hosting the Gujarat Titans. This match holds particular significance as it may mark Dhoni’s farewell week to cricket.

Anticipating a packed house, Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium is set to be abuzz with excitement, with all eyes fixed on the 41-year-old Dhoni. As four-time champions, Chennai will be hosting table-toppers Gujarat in the first playoff of this season’s IPL. The victorious team secures a spot in Sunday’s final, while the defeated team proceeds to another playoff match. Throughout the tournament, fans have flocked to stadiums in large numbers to witness the Chennai skipper and former India captain, Dhoni, in action. Speculation has been rife that Dhoni will retire from cricket at the conclusion of this campaign, although he has not explicitly confirmed his intentions.

In the current season, Dhoni has showcased his adaptability by reinventing himself as a lower-order batsman, often entering the game at number eight. This strategic adjustment has added an intriguing dimension to his performance. It will undoubtedly be an enthralling encounter as the Chennai Super Kings take on the Gujarat Titans, with the outcome potentially influencing Dhoni’s farewell journey in the world of cricket.

After his impactful performance of scoring a quick 20 runs off just nine balls in a late cameo that aided Chennai’s victory over Delhi earlier this month, he expressed, “This is precisely my role. I have made it clear to my team that this is what I’m expected to do. Avoid making me run excessively, and it has proven successful.”

The impending farewell of Dhoni serves as one of the intriguing sub-plots as the final week of the Twenty20 extravaganza unfolds. Meanwhile, their opponents Gujarat have continued their fairy tale journey, progressing from winning the championship in their debut season last year to once again securing a place in the playoffs.

Reflecting on their progress, skipper Hardik Pandya remarked, “Last year was a successful campaign where everything fell into place. This year presented us with new challenges, and we anticipated strong competition. The boys exhibited tremendous character.”
Opener Shubman Gill has been at the forefront, accumulating an impressive 680 runs, second only to Faf du Plessis of Bangalore, who has amassed 730 runs, making him a strong contender for the Orange Cap as the tournament’s leading scorer. Gill’s recent back-to-back centuries have further reinforced his match-winning contributions for a team that emerged victorious in 10 out of their 14 group matches.

If Gujarat qualifies for the final, they will once again enjoy the advantage of playing at the expansive 132,000-capacity stadium in Ahmedabad, which adds to their home advantage.

Green’s Price Tag Justified

In an upcoming playoff clash, the five-time champions Mumbai Indians, led by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, will face the Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday. The victorious team from this match will then contend against the loser of the Chennai-Gujarat encounter on Friday, vying for a place in Sunday’s final at the world’s largest cricket stadium.

Mumbai Indians secured their spot in the playoffs thanks to an impressive performance against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, where Australian all-rounder Cameron Green played a pivotal role. Green’s remarkable unbeaten century, achieved in just 47 balls, coupled with Rohit’s solid knock of 56, propelled Mumbai to a resounding victory while chasing a target of 201. This outstanding display has suddenly elevated the IPL heavyweights, who clinched the championship in 2020, as favorites in the knockout clash against Lucknow.

During this season’s auction, the 23-year-old Green became the second-most expensive player in IPL history, with Mumbai Indians acquiring him for a staggering $2.11 million. His exceptional performance has undoubtedly justified the high price tag associated with his acquisition.