IPL 2023: MS Dhoni makes surprise entry as Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja challenge each other ahead of curtain-raiser

Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya. (photo source: Star Sports)

The Indian Premier League fever is slowly taking over the entire world as the tournament is just two weeks away. Continuing with the build-up for the T20 extravaganza, Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the event, released a promo featuring Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja for the curtain-raiser of the season between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings.

Gujarat and Chennai will lock horns in the opening game of the IPL season 16 on March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The promo begins with Gujarat captain Pandya boasting about his team winning the IPL in their debut season while Jadeja reminds him that CSK are four-time champions.

Pandya further talks about his team’s swag and in reply Jadeja answers with a whistle following which the portrait of CSK captain MS Dhoni appears with fans cheering from behind. The promo ends with both Pandya and Jadeja challenging each other for the opening encounter.

Watch the promo here:

CSK will look to bounce back in the upcoming season after they had their worst season in the history of IPL in 2022 finishing on the ninth spot on the IPL points table with just four wins to their name. With the IPL returning to the ‘home and away format’ for the first time since 2019, they will look to put up a marvellous performance in front of their home crowd at Chepauk.

MS Dhoni’s last dance for CSK?

The upcoming season will reportedly be the last for CSK captain MS Dhoni as an active cricketer in the IPL. The ‘Captain cool’ had previously stated in an interview that he will retire from IPL playing his last game in front of the home crowd at the MA Chidambram stadium in Chennai.

With the IPL returning to home and away formats this year, there have been widespread speculations that Dhoni will hang up his boots at the end of the season.

CSK will look to give their best on the field to give a winning farewell to the second most successful captain in the IPL (in terms of trophies in the cabinet) who has led them to four title victories.

On the other hand, Gujarat Titans will look to start their title defence on a high on their home ground by beating the four-time champions. With the upcoming IPL season being held all over India, it’s expected to be a grand affair for the first time since the pandemic.

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