Perhaps we should hold our tongue, as the tale of an IPL season is the last one where Indian legends Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni will play together has been constantly debunked by Dhoni’s strong will to keep on playing, and experts have been saying this for a few years now. But with each passing year, it seems more and more likely, and with Dhoni struggling with injuries, one can’t help but wonder if this will be the final match where Kohli and DHoni face each other off.
Dance of the league
If it is to be so, a more perfect scenario could not have presented itself, with the possible last dance being one of, if not the most anticipated league game of the year, which is also the reverse fixture of the very first game of the IPL 2024. The stakes could not be higher for both teams, as they vie for the only remaining spot in the playoffs, as all their counterparts have either qualified or lost out in the race. True fans of the Indian cricket team are faced with a dilemma; must they root for Dhoni’s (possibly) last hurrah to end with a trophy, or must Virat’s valiant efforts be met with a trophy in his hands, one that has eluded him for 16 years?
The hand Of God
A third truly anticlimactic option presents itself, which is for the game to be washed out. With recent weather and future forecasts of rain in Bangalore, there is a very real possibility of a game not taking place. This would mean an automatic qualification for CSK, but there is no doubt that fans and CSK themselves would want to fight it out and get into the playoffs after beating RCB. RCB will be hoping for anything, even a 5 over match, to get a crack at CSK. They have looked determined, on a hot winning streak, and will be looking to get revenge after losing out in the reverse fixture. While records may not be in their favour, the tide of momentum sure is, and they’re not going down without a fight. Unless of course, the hand of god.
End of an era
Whatever the result may be, the trio of Rohit, Dhoni and Kohli as captains of their respective squads is almost synonymous with the IPL itself, and it will be a huge void to fill as one by one they leave the IPL. Ah, some people just shouldn’t age. They might not be the captains of their teams anymore, but it is more than evident what their fan bases look forward to, come the matches of CSK, MI and RCB, the fan reaction to Rohit’s forced step-down a crystal clear indication of his impact, and similar if not more feelings are attached to the king of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli, and the cool captain of our country, MS Dhoni. The feelings attached to these players are only going to be clearer once they’re out of the picture. It is of utmost importance to appreciate the fag end of this era, and bask in the glory of these monumental players.
