Still uncertain whether I will be playing next year, depends on retention policy, says M S Dhoni
Dubai, Oct 7: The enigmatic Mahendra Singh Dhoni has no doubt that he would be seen in yellow even in 2022 but at this point, he does not know whether that yellow would be representative of his franchise Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
Speaking after the toss for CSK's IPL game against Punjab Kings, the 40-year-old was asked whether he would be staying with the franchise which is synonymous with him since the IPL's inception.
"Well, you can see me in yellow next year. But whether I will be playing for CSK? There are a lot of uncertainties around it for a simple reason that we have two new teams coming up," he said referring to the IPL's expansion into a 10-team competition from next season.
"We don't know the retention policy. We don't know how many foreigners, Indian players we can retain, the money cap that every player will be cutting from the kitty. So there are a lot of uncertainties.
"Unless the rules are in place, you can't really decide that. So we will wait for it to happen and hopefully it will be good for everyone," he added.
The comment on the day is bound to create a flutter as earlier this week, while interacting with fans during the 75th year celebrations of 'India Cements', Dhoni dropped elaborate hints that he will be seen playing the next season with the CSK.
"When it comes to farewell, you can still come and see me play for CSK and that can be my farewell game. So, you will still get that opportunity to bid me farewell. Hopefully, we will come to see Chennai and play my last game over there and we can meet fans there," Dhoni had said.
CSK lost Thursday's match and Dhoni stressed on ability to deal with pressure in the knockout stages. CSK have already secured a playoffs berth.
"You have to cope up with that. We had played very good cricket to reach the playoff stages. We had a few bad games 2 out of 3 and one we felt like we could have a comeback and that's part and parcel in leagues like these, you have to be at your best.
"Motivation is not a factor...maybe we need to tune up slightly as to what needs to be done and also a few tosses if they had gone our way," he said.
If team sources are to be believed then CSK are keen to retain three players --- Dhoni, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and prolific opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The iconic former India captain has not played in Chennai since 2019 as the 2020 IPL was held in the UAE.
During the first leg of this year's edition, CSK played its matches in Mumbai before the league was suspended due to a breach in the bio-bubble.
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BJP accuses Karnataka govt of 'failing' to prevent noise pollution caused by 'azaan'
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Members of the Opposition BJP on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka government for not taking measures to prevent the alleged noise pollution caused by 'azaan', the Islamic call to prayer.
BJP MLC D S Arun raised the issue in the Legislative Council during the question hour, accusing the ruling Congress of "appeasement" by failing to take action against mosques that are violating the Supreme Court's directives.
Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to the question, said, as per the directives of the Supreme Court in sensitive zones, the noise level should not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night, and in residential areas, 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
In commercial areas, the noise should not exceed 65 decibels during the day, 55 at night, and in industrial areas, 75 during the day and at night 70 decibels, he said.
Pointing out that the Karnataka government had issued an order in 2022, assigning responsibility to a committee headed by a DySPs or ACPs for the effective implementation of the rules, the minister said when a complaint is received about noise pollution, the Pollution Control Board will inspect it and provide information about the decibel level to the police to take further action, including filing of criminal cases.
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"Not only during azaan, but also during bhajans held in temples and marriage events, among others, the violations happen. There is a need to spread awareness. The Supreme Court has ordered against bursting firecrackers, but it is being violated. Efforts will be made to implement the rules effectively," he said.
Several BJP MLAs, including Arun, Bharathi Shetty, among others, were not satisfied with the minister's reply. They took strong exception to it.
Arun noted that in the last three years, only 52 cases have been taken, and said there are clear violations by almost all mosques, but no action has been taken. "The decibels have in fact increased under this government. The government is giving protection to them."
Reacting to this, Khandre, calling it a "sensitive matter", said, "It is not right to politicise the issue. The law of this land is equal for everyone."
Hitting back, Arun asked, "Why is the matter sensitive? What is preventing you (the government) from implementing the Supreme Court directives?"
