Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is all set to play their last match at Chepauk in IPL 2026. The CSK vs Sunrisers Hyderabad match is expected to be played in front of a jam-packed stadium tonight. Demand for the tickets is high as cricket fans are eager to see the icon, MS Dhoni, on his home ground.
MS Dhoni, 44, is on the verge of taking retirement from the Indian Premier League. Fans are speculating that tonight could be his last match for the CSK. However, like before, there is no official confirmation about his availability.
Harbhajan Singh asks MS Dhoni to play
Ahead of the CSK vs SRH match, former Team India and former CSK spinner Harbhajan Singh has requested Dhoni. Harbhajan has requested the former skipper to play tonight’s match, as there will be a countless number of people who will keep their eyes on the MA Chidambaram stadium just to see their hero again in action.
“Look, he had said earlier that he would like to play his final match against Chennai, at Chennai's ground. And now that time has come — this is the last match in Chennai. We may see Thala playing on Monday for the last time, and maybe this Chennai crowd will also be watching him play for the final time,” Harbhajan Singh said on JioHotstar.
Dhoni to play IPL 2027?
As there is no confirmation about MS Dhoni’s chances to face SRH tonight, he could miss this match as well. So far, because of injury, he has yet to play his first match in IPL 2026. Harbhajan believes that if Dhoni does not come out to play this match as well, then there will be a fair chance to see him in the 2027 season as well.
“And if he doesn't play, then it means he'll come back again next year. Then he'll say, ‘Next year, you'll see me playing my last match.' You never know with him, but hopefully he will play,” according to the former spinner.
Harbhajan pleads with Dhoni to play tonight, otherwise he is vowed to travel to Chennai and drag the legendary keeper-batter onto the ground.
“Brother, just play tomorrow, Dhoni, please play. Otherwise, I'll come to your Chennai, and if needed, I'll drag you onto the ground myself and ask you to play,” Harbhajan said.
MS Dhoni himself talked about his retirement
MS Dhoni’s retirement speculation gained momentum when he revealed his desire to play his last-ever T20 match in Chennai. Though he did mention a particular date for that.
"I have always planned my cricket. The last game I played was in Ranchi. The last home game in ODI was at my hometown in Ranchi. So, hopefully, my last T20 will be in Chennai. Whether it's next year or in five years, we don't really know," Dhoni had said.
As of now, Chennai Super Kings is still in the play-offs race as they have made a massive turnaround in the group stage by securing back-to-back wins in the mid-phase of the competition. By defeating SRH, they will have to make their case strong.
Read More: CSK Playing XI vs SRH — 18 May 2026 – Predicted Lineup & Team Analysis
