MS Dhoni played his last match in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday, May 18, as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) failed to secure playoffs qualification. The defending champions lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium by 27 runs to finish at No. 5 on the points table.
After leading CSK to a record-equalling fifth title last year, Dhoni said that he will try to play for one more season as a gift from his side to his die-hard fans across the globe. The 42-year-old handed captaincy ahead of IPL 2024 to Ruturaj Gaikwad and continued his duties as the wicketkeeper-batter of the side. Fighting through a knee injury, Dhoni scored 161 runs from 11 innings at a scintillating strike rate of 220.55. On Saturday, Chennai needed to get 201 runs in their second innings to stay above RCB in the points table and qualify for the playoffs. Dhoni tried his best in the end as he scored a 13-ball 25. He was dismissed in the second ball of the last over before CSK finished on 191/7.
Some fans were expecting that Dhoni would announce his retirement after the defeat. However, the stalwart didn’t reveal anything along the lines of his retirement. On Sunday, the official social media account of the IPL posted a masterfully compiled video of the Ranchi-born to celebrate his wonderful career in the cash-rich league.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Dinesh Karthik explains how Dhoni’s six helped RCB trump CSK to enter playoffs
“𝗜𝗣𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 Vibe MSD A feeling that captured the emotions of millions across the nation,” IPL wrote on ‘X’ (Formerly Twitter)
𝗜𝗣𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 💛
Vibe MSD 😇
A feeling that captured the emotions of millions across the nation 🥹#TATAIPL | #RCBvCSK | @ChennaiIPL | @msdhoni
𝗜𝗣𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 💛
Vibe MSD 😇
A feeling that captured the emotions of millions across the nation 🥹#TATAIPL | #RCBvCSK | @ChennaiIPL | @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/CyCD05qhKH
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2024
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2024
It is highly unlikely that Dhoni’s knee problems will allow him to continue playing for one more season. However, the CSK faithful will be hoping against hope to have him play in IPL 2025 for the Yellow Army.