Source NDTV sport
CHENNAI — It was a bittersweet Monday evening at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. While the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a damaging five-wicket defeat at the hands of the Sunrisers Hyderabad—denting their IPL 2026 playoff aspirations—the emotional core of the night belonged entirely to MS Dhoni.
The 44-year-old legendary wicketkeeper-batter has been sidelined for the entirety of the 2026 season due to injury, leaving a gaping void on the field. However, as CSK played their final home game of the season at Chepauk, “Thala” sent the crowd into a frenzy by stepping onto the pitch for a post-match team photograph and embarking on an emotional lap of honour to thank the Chennai faithful.
Amid the heavy air of nostalgia, Dhoni reunited on the sidelines with his longtime brother-in-arms and former CSK teammate, Suresh Raina, who was present as a commentator. The interaction that followed, however, has left millions of cricket fans heartbroken.
The ‘Missed Call’ Conversation
Speaking on Star Sports after the match, Raina revealed that he actively tried to convince Dhoni not to call time on his career just yet, urging him to target a grand return in the IPL 2027 season.
“I told him, ‘You have given IPL 2026 a missed call. It won’t count. You have to come back next year (2027),'” Raina shared.
Dhoni’s reply, candid and laced with the harsh reality of aging in professional sports, instantly sparked widespread retirement fears.
“He said, ‘My body is a little weak.’ I told him, ‘We are not believing anything. You have to play next year.’ It’s his personal call. I think he is positive. The team is also gelling well again,” Raina added.
What the Management Says
With Dhoni not playing a single match this season, the reality of his physical limitations is becoming harder for fans to ignore. When questioned about Dhoni’s potential involvement or a definitive retirement statement ahead of the 2027 season, CSK Head Coach Stephen Fleming kept his cards close to his chest, placing the ball squarely in the front office’s court.
“It’s a choice for the management,” Fleming said during the post-match press conference. “MS has been around a lot this year, which is very important for the team and for young players in continuity… He hasn’t played, but he’s still had a big influence on the team. That’s a management call, not mine.”
Quick Look: MS Dhoni’s Longevity in the IPL
Milestone Details
Current Age 44 Years Old
IPL Titles as Captain 5 (Joint-most in tournament history)
IPL 2026 Status Kept out of the playing XI entirely due to injury
IPL 2027 Outlook Highly uncertain; contingent on physical fitness
While “Chinna Thala” Suresh Raina remains optimistic that Dhoni might give it one more shot, the former Indian captain’s honest admission about his fading physical strength suggests that the curtain might finally be coming down on one of cricket’s most legendary eras.
