"It's up to BCCI..." - Ambati Rayudu drops bombshell on MS Dhoni's return to IPL 2025

MS Dhoni ended his IPL 2024 campaign on a disappointing note as Chennai Super Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs of the season. This was just the third time that CSK did not qualify for the playoffs in the IPL. 

CSK needed to get 201 to qualify for the playoffs but they were restricted to 191/7 in the run-chase. RCB posted a challenging total of 218 and CSK in the end lost the match by 27 runs. 

The match was in the balance when MS Dhoni walked out to bat just before the 15th over of CSK's innings. Ravindra Jadeja was at the other end of the pitch. Dhoni scored 25 with three fours and a six. 

CSK needed 17 off the last over bowled by Yash Dayal. Dhoni was on strike and he started the over with a six. He hit a 110-meter six over fine leg to send the RCB supporters into a state of shock. Much to their relief he was dismissed in the very next ball. He finally bowled two back-to-back dot deliveries on his last two balls against Ravindra Jadeja to put RCB into the playoffs. 

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MS Dhoni was seemingly disappointed after he was dismissed. There was a sense of anger in the manner in which he was dismissed. Meanwhile, Ambati Rayudu after the end of the match said that MS Dhoni might not have played his last IPL and he backed him to play for another year, especially with BCCI's new Impact Player Rule. 

"I don't think this is his last game. I just don't see him wanting to end on this note. He looked a little frustrated, even when he got out. That's very unlike MS Dhoni, he just wanted to qualify and finish on a high. But you never know with MS Dhoni, he might come back next year" Rayudu said on Star Sports Cricket Live.

“With the impact player role as well, it allows him to be able to come in those last few overs and truly make that impact. BCCI better not remove the impact player role because we still want to see MS Dhoni play. So, it's up to BCCI now. Do we want to see MS Dhoni play or not" he added. 

KKR, RR, SRH, and RCB thus are the final four teams to make the playoffs. KKR are assured of a top position on the points table. They are already on 19 and a win against RR will take them to 21 points. None of the other teams will go above 18.

While Kolkata Knight Riders and RCB have confirmed their first and fourth spot, respectively, on the points table, the battle is still on for the 2nd and 3rd positions with Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in contention.

Kolkata Knight Riders play the last league game against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati in the final league game of the season, on Sunday, May 19.

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