‘I have no idea’ – CSK coach Stephen Fleming non-committal over MS Dhoni retirement rumors

Rumours about MS Dhoni’s retirement were afloat during the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Delhi Capitals’ (DC) game on Saturday. Many fans who were watching the 17th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) spotted Dhoni’s parents watching the action. This was the first time that Dhoni’s parents were seen watching the game live. To add more fuel to the rumours, wife Sakshi Dhoni was also spotted in the stands. 

CSK coach Stephen Fleming was asked to comment on the rumours about Dhoni’s retirement. The former Kiwi skipper stayed non-committal. During the press conference, he said, “No, that's not my role to put an end to it. I have no idea. I'm just enjoying working with him still. He's still going strong. I don't even ask these days. You are the ones who ask.”

Delhi Capitals won the game by 25 runs to go top of the table and continue their unbeaten start to the season. DC opted to bat first and scored 183 on the board thanks to KL Rahul, who top-scored with 77 runs. In response, CSK could score just 158 on the board and lost the game despite Vijay Shankar’s unbeaten fifty. 

Axar Patel expresses happiness after massive win over CSK 

For the first time in 15 years, Delhi Capitals had managed to beat Chennai Super Kings at the Chepauk stadium. Speaking at the end of the game, DC skipper Axar Patel said, “ I didn't expect it to be easy. Everyone contributed; the team balance looks good. It feels good as a captain to win three out of three. The chat in the team meeting is about making an impact, which is very important.

KL Rahul was named man of the match for his match-winning knock on Saturday. The 32-year-old opened the batting with Faf du Plessis missing the game due to fitness issues. Rahul scored his runs off 51 balls and played a pivotal role in DC reaching 183 before falling to Matheesha Pathirana in the final over. 

32-year-old DC star during his chat with the host broadcasters and said, “ I personally was honestly prepping to play at the top of the order before the IPL started and before I came here. Just a week before the IPL started, I had a chat with the coach and he said he wanted me to bat at No. 4 because we missed one of our senior players who didn't turn up, so he wanted me at No. 4, so I said okay. Not much I can do; take on whatever role is given and go out there and enjoy my batting. But I was happy that I got an opportunity today to be at the top of the order.”