IPL 2023: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy get MS Dhoni’s autograph on their jersey following KKR’s victory against CSK

MS Dhoni, Rinku Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy. (Photo Source: Instagram/CSK Fans Official)

Chennai Super Kings’ last game, of the league stage, on their home ground did not go as per the plans as the four-time champions were handed a six-wicket defeat by two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 14, Sunday. The home team was just a win away from sealing their place in the knockout round, but KKR extended their wait.

An interesting thing happened after the game concluded, as CSK skipper MS Dhoni and other players and member of the team completed a lap of honor at Chepauk to thank their fans for their immense support throughout the season so far. But what caught everyone’s attention was KKR players Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy getting jerseys signed by the captain cool.

After the post-match presentation, Rinku Singh approached Dhoni to get his KKR Jersey signed, while Varun too joined and got a CSK fan jersey signed by the legendary wicketkeeper-batter. Sunil Gavaskar too joined the bandwagon, as the Little Master got MS Dhoni to leave an autograph on the white shirt that he was wearing.

Notably, if CSK qualify for the playoffs by winning their final game of the league stage, they will come back home for their first game of the knockout stage, be it Qualifier 1 or Eliminator 1.

CSK eye victory in last game of group stage to seal playoff berth

Chennai’s campaign had taken an upsurge as the Men in Yellow managed to win games in a brilliant manner, thereby strengthening their place on the points table. After getting to the second spot with 15 points from 12 games, they had a golden chance of becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs by winning their 13th game, which happened against KKR on Sunday.

But CSK’s defeat was a sigh of relief for not just KKR, but also for eight more teams as the top four spot remains wide open, with every team, except Delhi Capitals, in contention. With the business end of the IPL 2023 nearing, it will be interesting to see which four teams confirm their playoff berth and which five teams join DC to take the flight home.