I will play IPL next year, will be unfair not to say thank you to Chennai: MS Dhoni
Mumbai, May 20: Iconic two-time World Cup winning India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday said he will "definitely" play in the IPL next year as not doing so would be "unfair" to the city after which the Chennai Super Kings is named and which treats him like its own.
With this, the 40-year-old Dhoni put to rest speculations around his participation in the lucrative league next season.
"Definitely, I will play next year. It would be unfair not to say thank you to Chennai, to not play in Chennai. It won't be nice to the CSK fans," Dhoni said at the toss for CSK's final match of the ongoing season, against Rajasthan Royals.
"Whether 2023 will be my last year or not, that is something we will have to see."
The former India skipper's fandom knows no bounds and some time back, a social media post of one admirer painting his house in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu in Chennai Super Kings' yellow colour, along with portraits of Dhoni, had gone viral.
Two days ago, Dhoni's heartfelt reply to a distraught CSK fan's letter won hearts.
Four-time champions CSK endured one of their worst IPL campaigns, as they went out of reckoning for a play-offs spot quite early in the season.
Most of CSK's senior players like Dhoni (206 runs), Ambati Rayudu (271) and Robin Uthappa (230) haven't had a great IPL and that has been the biggest failure of the 'Yellow Brigade'.
The bowling suffered a lot because of the absence of an injured Deepak Chahar and the inability to retain Josh Hazlewood.
It was wafer-thin in terms of experience and they paid the price. Matheesha Pathirana, with a slinging action that is pretty similar to Lasith Malinga, has caught Dhoni's imagination but he is a work in progress.
Similarly, the likes of Mukesh (16 wickets), Simar (3 wickets) and spinner Mahesh Theekshana (12) are good but not assured match-winners yet.
There were also speculations of rift in the CSK camp after Ravindra Jadeja and the franchise decided to unfollow each other on social media platforms after the former stepped down from captaincy and left the bubble citing an injury.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi schools suspend outdoor activities, plan early steps to shield students from heat
New Delhi (PTI): To shield students from heat-related ailments amid soaring temperatures and harsh afternoon sun, schools across Delhi have begun taking precautionary measures by suspending outdoor activities, shifting assemblies indoors, with some even considering early closure for junior classes.
From indoor games and hydration breaks to ORS consumption and modified dispersal timings, schools are tightening measures as the city braces for prolonged heatwave conditions.
Sudha Acharya, principal at ITL Public School in Dwarka, said all outdoor activities, including morning assembly and games, have been shifted to the school's multipurpose hall.
“We have issued an advisory to all parents to take precautionary measures before sending their children to school. We are also planning to close the school from classes 1 to 8 from May 14 onward if the weather conditions worsen," she said.
Mallika Preman, principal at Tagore International School in East of Kailash, said students have been advised to remain indoors during peak afternoon hours and keep themselves hydrated.
“We have suspended all outdoor activities, and students now play indoor games like carrom and chess. We have also modified the dispersal system so that students are not brought out until their parents arrive at their designated collection areas,” Preman said.
“This reduces their exposure to heat in the afternoon. Students have also been advised to wear caps or use umbrellas during dispersal,” she added.
Ritu Sharma, principal at Sovereign Public School in Rohini, said that teachers have been asked to closely monitor students for signs of heat exhaustion.
“Our priority is to ensure that children remain safe and comfortable during school hours. We are encouraging them to carry water bottles, avoid direct sun exposure and immediately report any discomfort. We have also arranged shaded rest areas and indoor engagement activities to reduce heat exposure,” she said.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has launched a ‘Beat the Heat’ initiative for government, government-aided and private unaided recognised schools in Delhi in view of the heatwave conditions forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The initiative follows the Heat Wave Action Plan issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and aims to protect students from heat-related illnesses while promoting hydration, environmental awareness and care for animals and birds.
Under the initiative, schools have been directed to ring a 'hydration bell' daily in the penultimate period, during which every student will consume oral rehydration solution (ORS). Teachers will also briefly explain the importance of staying hydrated.
Schools have also been encouraged to create 'cool corners' with earthen water pots, promote a ‘one child-one plant’ green mission and appoint student volunteers as 'Jal Mitras' to place and refill water bowls for birds and stray animals, the advisory said.
According to the DoE, the other measures include ensuring safe drinking water stations, spreading awareness on heat stroke prevention, training teachers to identify symptoms of heat stress, and prominently displaying emergency helpline numbers across campuses.
The heads of schools have been asked to submit an action taken report on the implementation of the measures to their respective district offices by April 28, it said.
