IPL 2023: Matthew Hayden Makes A ‘Grand’ Prediction For MS Dhoni: Matthew Hayden, a former Australian cricketer who currently plays for Chennai Super Kings, has shared his hopes for India great and CSK’s longtime captain MS Dhoni, who is said to be playing in his final IPL season. Fans and experts from all over have fervently prayed for the team to make Dhoni’s farewell memorable as speculations that the 2018 IPL season will be his final have already leaked.
Hayden, who participated in the IPL under Dhoni’s captaincy during his formative years, predicted that MS Dhoni will aim to end his career in the Indian Premier League in front of a roaring Chennai crowd. He added that the 2019 IPL season would feature a lavish celebration of his legacy.
Hayden, who played for CSK from 2008 to 2010, credited Dhoni with revitalising and modernising the team over time.
“See CSK, they notoriously find a way to do things unique and special. Take their hiatus out of their IPL, it was unfortunate the two years they weren’t playing, and they came back the year after that to win the IPL, it was most unexpected. And they have a way!,” said Hayden on Star Sports.
“MS Dhoni has a way of revitalising, revamping, making it just a completely different look and feel to the side, even though it’s had this great tag of having complete trust in few players and having retained most of their players,” he added.
“So for MS Dhoni, I think this year in particular, it’s going to be a year celebrated like no other. It’s the finish I believe of the legacy of MS Dhoni and he will want to go out in style with his fans, who’d want him to go out in style as well,” the 2010 IPL winner said.
The “captain cool” has led Chennai Super Kings to four title titles over the course of his 15-year career in the competition, making them the second-most successful franchise there. Since the IPL’s debut in 2008, Chennai Super Kings has been the only team to stick with a single captain. Even though they briefly broke the tie to transfer the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja, CSK swiftly returned things to normal by bringing Dhoni back following the team’s disappointing performance.
Going to be very difficult to beat CSK at home: Hayden
The former Australian player and CSK opener added that because to their outstanding home record at Chepauk, CSK will be a challenging side to defeat in the forthcoming season.
“It’s going to be remarkable, just the amount of supporters, the Yellow Army that is going to pile into the Chepauk Stadium. And they are going to be the same side that’s going to be very difficult to beat at home as well. Their record at home, at Chepauk, is undeniably the best in the IPL,” Hayden said.
“That venue is a fortress. And they are going to have MS Dhoni as their captain, arguably for the last time and that’s going to be one of those moments that no one is ever going to forget. He has especially stayed on in the IPL to say goodbye to his fans at Chepauk and they are going to turn up like you just couldn’t imagine,” he added.
Chennai will play the opening game of the IPL season 16 against Gujarat Titans on 31st March at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
