IPL 2023: Nostalgic MS Dhoni recalls ticket collector job in Kharagpur as fans go berserk at Eden Gardens

Dhoni has been the centre of attraction once again in the IPL. Like last year, fans are again anticipating that the 41-year-old would be retiring from the game after the season. This time around, Dhoni has also hinted at his retirement from the IPL.

“Whatever said and done, it’s the last phase of my career, however long I play. It’s very important to enjoy it,” Dhoni said after CSK’s last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Chennai.

“IPL… after two years, the fans have had the opportunity to come here and watch. It’s a full house and the new stands are good. So, it feels good to be here,” Dhoni, who had always wanted to retire from the game in front of jam-packed Chepauk, had added.

The Ranch-born star is creating a major buzz wherever he is travelling with the team. The digital viewership has also been touching new heights every time Dhoni is walking out to bat. In Kolkata too, thousands cued up at the airport to get a glimpse of the revered cricketer.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Dhoni took the opportunity to acknowledge all the love from the fans in Kolkata. He got nostalgic and recalled his first job as a ticket collector in Kharagpur, West Bengal – a city around 140 km away from the state capital of Kolkata.

“I have played a lot of cricket here in Kolkata. But I won’t say quite a lot, because I haven’t played U-16 or U-19, which reduces the number of games. But, you know I had a job in Kharagpur which was 2 hours away from here. So I spent a lot of time over there, played a lot of cricket and also football. So, i think the love comes from there,” Dhoni said.

CSK have bounced back from the horrendous last season and are currently occupying the third spot in the ten-team IPL 2023 table. The side has won four of their first six matches.