MS Dhoni made one final appearance at Chepauk, hinting at a possible retirement after not starring in the full season of IPL 2026. MS Dhoni made rounds around the stadium and celebrated his final appearance while interacting with fans.
The Chennai Super Kings have completed 13 matches into the season and have now lost two matches in a row, even though they are in contention for the playoffs. Currently in the sixth spot, the Super Kings have managed to score just 12 points and are left to play their final game.
The Chennai Super Kings, the five-time champions of the IPL, have finally bid goodbye to the legendary cricketer MS Dhoni. Though no official confirmation was given from the team management or the player's end yet, his actions pointed towards a retirement.
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MS Dhoni ends Chennai's home run in IPL 2026 with a special appearance at Chepauk
MS Dhoni finally returned to the MA Chidambaram Stadium after not having played a single match throughout the season. Ahead of the start of the season, he was ruled out with an injury, but midway through the tournament, though Dhoni had recovered from his injury, he did not feature in any of CSK's games.
Ahead of their final match at Chepauk, he joined the CSK players on the ground, interacting for one final time with the home crowd. MS Dhoni was spotted clicking photos and waving at the fans around the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
The special bond between #CSK and the home fans celebrated with a lap of honour 💛#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #CSKvSRH | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/yIHpoaIG4r
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2026
There have been several speculations around MS Dhoni, probably hinting at a retirement after this final goodbye at the iconic venue of Chepauk, which the legendary keeper from Ranchi transformed into his second home ground.
The man and the moment! 💛#WhistlePodu #CSKvSRH
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 18, 2026
pic.twitter.com/fNnBOkJIcO
CSK are still in contention for the playoffs, but how?
After consecutive defeats to the Lucknow Super Giants and the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Chennai Super Kings' playoff chances have been put in a major fix. The team that had bounced back after a poor start has not managed to end it on a promising note.
Despite these two defeats, they are still in contention for a playoff spot. However, to seal that final spot in the top four, they will have to defeat the Gujarat Titans in their next match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
However, the Rajasthan Royals will have to lose in their next game, as only that could help the Chennai Super Kings secure a spot in the playoffs; otherwise, they are likely to be eliminated.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's win has led to the qualification of three teams for the playoffs
Sunrisers Hyderabad earned two more points to increase their points tally to 16 and ensure a spot for them, as well as the Gujarat Titans, in the IPL 2026 playoffs. While chasing 181 runs, the Sunrisers eased past the target within 19 overs, as Ishan Kishan led the run chase with a valiant innings of 70 runs.
Heinrich Klaasen also played a fine hand with the bat, putting on a massive partnership alongside the former stand-in skipper. One of the major reasons for the defeat of the Super Kings was once again a dropped chance, as Klaasen, who scored 47 off just 26 balls, was dropped on the score of 18.
RCB had already confirmed a spot for themselves at the top of the points table, while on the other hand, SRH and GT have also finalised their spots in the playoffs, leaving only one spot vacant in the playoffs.
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