IPL 2024 , MI vs CSK: MS Dhoni set for potential Wankhede Stadium farewell (2024)

There will be a sea of yellow at the Wankhede Stadium when MI host CSK in the first and only El Clasico of IPL 2024 league stage on Sunday. It might turn out to be a momentous occasion at the iconic venue as MS Dhoni is set to likely walk out for one last time at the Wankhede Stadium as a professional cricketer. CSK and MI only meet once in the league stage of IPL 2024 and the playoffs and the final have also not been scheduled in Mumbai.

The man, who oversaw one of the most glorious chapters of Indian cricket history when he hit the World Cup-winning six on April 2, 2011, has enjoyed incredible support nationwide over the last two seasons even as speculation about his IPL future has been rife. And Mumbai will roar for the former India captain for probably one last time in what promises to be a blockbuster contest on Sunday, April 14.

Memories must have gushed back when MS Dhoni was spotted posing with the World Cup 2011 trophy on the eve of the IPL 2024 match. As the former India captain walked out for training, he made sure he got a glimpse of the World Cup trophy at the BCCI headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium. Dhoni was even seen presumably adjusting the position of the trophy on the trophy cabinet in his own inimitable style.

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Dhoni has played 13 matches for India at the Wankhede Stadium, the most by any player from the country. And the one that stands out is the big World Cup final 13 years ago. Promoting himself to No. 4, one of his many masterstrokes as captain, Dhoni hit a match-winning 91 off 79 balls in a sensational partnership with Gautam Gambhir to help India chase down 275 against Sri Lanka. And he finished it with that iconic six. Dhoni has seats named after him as the Mumbai Cricket Association, in 2023, immortalised the part of the Wankhede Stadium where his winning six landed on that fateful evening.

In the IPL, Dhoni has played 27 matches at the Wankhede Stadium, hitting 392 runs with a fifty. He has hit 17 sixes at the iconic venue and has struck at 116.37 for the Super Kings.

LAST DANCE AT WANKHEDE?

MS Dhoni might be calm and composed on the outside, but the CSK superstar will have trouble handling his emotions if he gets an opportunity to walk out to the middle at the Wankhede Stadium with the bat on Sunday. Regardless, the decibel levels are going to go through the roof whenever he is spotted before, during and after the IPL 2024 contest.

MS Dhoni has not yet opened up about his future in the IPL. Even when he spoke after lifting the trophy last year, the 42-year-old said he would want to return to play the IPL for "at least one more season" as a return gift to his fans. However, there are enough suggestions that IPL 2024 might be his last as a player in the league. The 5-time champion handover of captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad on the eve of their opening match in Chennai, hinting at the start of a transition period. Also, the vintage long hair does hint at an imminent big call from the superstar cricketer.

Dhoni has looked fitter and leaner when compared to last year. The wicketkeeper-batter underwent surgery to treat a long-standing knee issue after having managed throughout last season. Dhoni has been nearly flawless with the gloves. Dhoni has gotten opportunities to bat only thrice in the season and he took fans down memory lane during his whirlwind knock of 37 off 16 balls in Visakhapatnam. CSK fans cheered even when the team lost as they were thrilled at the sight of Dhoni smashing them into the stands.

Will it be MS Dhoni's Last Dance at the Wankhede on Sunday? If yes, not many will complain if there's another promotion in the batting order. There's a lot to look forward to in the clash of the 5-time champions.