NEW DELHI: Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has revealed the real reason behind his impulsive action and why he got emotional when Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni was giving him the autograph after their last league match at the Chepauk on Sunday.
Sunday was a special occasion for CSK and their fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, despite their six-wicket defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders in their last home game of IPL 2023.
Since it was CSK's last home game of the season, Dhoni decided to do a lap of honor at Chepauk with his teammates. As CSK players walked around their home stadium, Gavaskar chased down the pack of players and asked Dhoni for his autograph. The former India captain, in fact, asked Dhoni to autograph his shirt, a touching tribute from one legend of the game to the other.
"When I got to know about Chennai Super Kings and MS Dhoni are going to take a lap of honour at Chepauk, I decided to create a special memory. That's why I ran towards MSD to take his autograph. It was his last home game at Chepauk," Gavaskar told Star Sports.
"Of course, he will get a chance to play here if CSK qualifies for the playoffs. But I decided to make that moment special. I was fortunate enough that someone in the camera unit had a marker pen. So, I am thankful to that person as well," he added.
The 73-year old Gavaskar also appreciated Dhoni for his gesture and also hailed the CSK skipper for his legacy in Indian cricket.
"So, I went to Mahi and requested him to sign an autograph on the shirt that I was wearing. It was so nice of him to acknowledge it. It was a very emotional moment for me because this fellow has made immense contributions to Indian cricket," he said.
1/10:IPL 2023: Dhoni's CSK does a lap of honour at Chepauk
AP
2/10:Mahendra Singh Dhoni
<p>Led by their talisman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings did a special lap of honour around the Chepauk to thank the home crowd after their match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.</p>TNN
3/10:2 greats of the game
<p>Even as the spectators went berserk at seeing their favourite player leading their team out after the game, batting great Sunil Gavaskar ran up to the two-time World Cup-winning captain for an autograph. (BCCI/IPL Photo)</p>TNN
4/10:Dhoni's last IPL?
<p>Probably playing in his last IPL, Dhoni, holding a racquet in one hand, was also seen hitting some balls into the crowd before tossing a few jerseys in that direction.</p>TNN
5/10:Dhoni's autographs
<p>The policemen at the venue also had their moments as they shook hands with Dhoni before getting his autographs. </p>TNN
6/10:CSK lose
<p>The game, however, did not turn out the way CSK would have liked as they lost by six wickets. </p>IANS
7/10:CSK 144/6
<p>Batting first after winning the toss, CSK could only make 144/6. </p>ANI
8/10:KKR win
<p>Chasing 145 for victory, KKR faced some early hiccups before reaching the target in 18.3 overs. </p>IANS
9/10:Rinku and Rana
<p>Rinku Singh and skipper Nitish Rana made 54 and unbeaten 57 respectively. </p>PTI
10/10:The dew factor
<p>Dhoni said the conditions, including dew, had a big impact on the match. </p>IANSAn emotional Gavaskar also revealed what are the two most special moments from cricket which he would cherish for the rest of his life.
"Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 WC Trophy & MS Dhoni hitting that winning six in the 2011 WC final are the two cricketing moments I would love to see before I die," the former India captain said.
(With agencies inputs)
