As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare to take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a crucial IPL 2024 match on Saturday, May 18, fans are gearing up for what could be a historic encounter. The match is set to be played at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is expected to be filled to capacity as cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between two of the league’s most popular teams.
The match carries additional significance as it may be the last time that MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli face each other on the field. While Dhoni has not officially announced that IPL 2024 will be his final season, speculation is rife that the legendary wicketkeeper-batter might retire after CSK’s last match of the campaign. Kohli, who made his India debut under Dhoni’s leadership in 2008, reflected on the special bond they share and the significance of this potential final encounter.
“For fans to see him (Dhoni) play in any stadium in India is big – me & him playing again, maybe for the last time, you never know – that is a special thing. We had a great partnership for India, and it’s a great occasion for fans to see us together,” Virat Kohli said in an interview with JioCinema.
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Both Dhoni and Kohli have been exceptional ambassadors of cricket, and their fans won’t want to miss this opportunity to see them in action. However, there is a significant rain threat looming over Bengaluru on the day of the match. Cricket enthusiasts around the world are hoping for clear skies, eager to witness an unforgettable contest.
In addition to the excitement of the upcoming match, Kohli recently shared his thoughts on two of the most significant heartbreaks of his cricketing career. The first occurred during the IPL 2016 season when, despite being the leading run-scorer with 973 runs, he could not lead RCB to the title, suffering a painful defeat in the finals against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
The second disappointment came during the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 in India. Kohli was the standout performer of the tournament, amassing 273 runs, but India’s campaign ended in heartbreak with a semi-final loss to the West Indies.
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“I had two heartbreaks in my life in 2016. First was the WT20 and then the IPL Final. It took me a few days to get over the WT20 loss because I was in such a position that I thought I could do it for India,” Virat Kohli recounted during his JioCinema interview.
As RCB and CSK prepare for their pivotal showdown, fans are left hoping for clear weather and a memorable match that lives up to the immense hype surrounding it.