The uncertainty surrounding MS Dhoni’s IPL future continues to grow, but former Chennai Super Kings star Suresh Raina believes the legendary captain should return for another season. Speaking on Star Sports after CSK’s emotional home defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk, Raina revealed a personal conversation he had with Dhoni regarding retirement speculation and the possibility of playing in IPL 2027. “I told him ‘you have given IPL 2026 a missed call. It won’t count. You have to come back next year’,” Raina said. “He said ‘my body is a little weak’ – I said ‘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’s comments came on a night filled with emotion at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, where many supporters feared they may have witnessed Dhoni’s final appearance at Chepauk in CSK colours. Although Dhoni did not feature in the playing XI because of fitness concerns, his presence still became the emotional centre of the evening. During the innings break, the former CSK captain walked out for the team photograph, drawing a massive reaction from the crowd. Later, after SRH sealed a five-wicket victory and confirmed their IPL 2026 playoff qualification, Dhoni joined CSK’s traditional lap of appreciation around the ground. There was no farewell speech or dramatic send-off. Instead, Dhoni slowly walked near the boundary rope, waving towards fans who stayed back long after the defeat had been confirmed. The crowd responded with chants and applause that sounded more like gratitude than celebration. At 44, Dhoni’s fitness has increasingly become part of the conversation surrounding his future. The former India captain has avoided giving a definitive answer on retirement, choosing instead to leave the decision open at the end of each season. But this campaign has felt particularly uncertain, especially with Dhoni carefully managing his body and missing matches. That uncertainty has only intensified emotional reactions from fans and former teammates alike. On the field, SRH booked their place in the playoffs thanks to a brilliant 70 from Ishan Kishan and a rapid 47 from Heinrich Klaasen as they chased down 181 with an over to spare. Pat Cummins also starred with the ball, claiming 3/28 to restrict CSK to 180/7.
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The result pushed Hyderabad into the IPL 2026 playoffs alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, while CSK’s qualification hopes now depend on winning their final league game and other results going in their favour. Yet even after the result, the night at Chepauk remained dominated by one question — whether fans had just seen Dhoni in yellow for the last time.
