After the last match of this year’s IPL season at the Chepauk ground, Mahendra Singh Dhoni took a stroll around the stadium with his teammates, acknowledging the cheers of the fans. During this moment, team owner N. Srinivasan and his daughter Rupa Gurunath honoured Dhoni with a medal, reigniting speculation about his retirement from the IPL.
Chennai Super Kings secured a five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals, prompting Mahendra Singh Dhoni to join his teammates on the field in celebration. The entire squad, accompanied by team CEO Kashi Vishwanath, gathered to honour Dhoni with a medal, expressing gratitude to their captain. Dhoni, in turn, expressed his appreciation to the fans for their unwavering support.
During the ceremony, Dhoni reunited with his close friend Suresh Raina, presenting him with a tennis racket as a gesture of friendship. Raina, who was a key part of the Chennai team until 2021, embraced Dhoni warmly. Dhoni also handed out tennis balls with the CSK logo to fans, and at his request, Raina joined in, distributing balls and spreading joy among the supporters.
Throughout this season and the last, Dhoni has battled with leg issues, often visible as he navigates the matches. With the Qualifier 2 and Final scheduled to take place at Chepauk this season, the Chennai team’s fate hangs on their upcoming match against Bengaluru on May 18th, which will determine if they secure a spot in the final four with 16 points. If they do not qualify, this match could mark Dhoni’s final appearance at Chepauk, fueling speculation that this may be his last season. Despite this uncertainty, the CSK players remain hopeful of bidding farewell to their captain with a trophy, as Dhoni had hinted last season that this phase of his career may be drawing to a close.
