Just the sight of MS Dhoni in CSK yellow sends back a jolt of nostalgia for cricket fans. But something that had people talking during CSK’s match versus Delhi Capitals on Saturday at Chepauk was the presence of Dhoni’s parents in the stands.
That fleeting moment sparked a familiar, uneasy question on social media — is this Dhoni’s last season?
The 42-year-old maestro has, in the past, spoken about bringing down the curtain on his IPL career at the Chepauk, CSK’s home ground. And fans are reading into every move, particularly given the presence of his normally low-key parents to watch live. Distant, rarely seen at IPL games, their presence felt different — as if something’s coming.
MS Dhoni's parents are Watching the match, for the first time ever I have seen them I'm limelight 🫡
— Utkarsh 🇮🇳🇮🇱 (@utkarsh_dhoni) April 5, 2025
Bro I can't digest Retirement trauma of Dhoni if it happens 🥲#CSKvDC pic.twitter.com/TB7Q9pav7X
Parents of dhoni are present in the stadium for the first time
— Sportsmeena (@sportsmeena) April 5, 2025
And this match is in Chepauk
Bhai kahi dhoni retirement to nhi le rhe aaj
As he said his last match will be in Chepauk 😭#CSKvsDC #stockmarketcrash #Dhoni #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/yncx85noQJ
Retirement 😥 https://t.co/P6zBdFnMdW
— India Army 🏏 (@Rajveersin39567) April 5, 2025
First time in his career.
— Aditya Panchal (@Aditya_panchal1) April 5, 2025
Is it some sign! last dance? #CSKvDC #MSDhoni https://t.co/xhTOxzvPzI
Dhoni Parents are in the Stadium🏟️
— Lohith Reddy🦋🍷 (@Love_Cinemaa) April 5, 2025
Please dont dare to retire today @msdhoni 😭 pic.twitter.com/svNuMRGJAm
This isn’t the first time that speculation over retirement has trailed Dhoni. He stepped back from international cricket in 2020, but the CSK machine kept chugging along, leading them to another IPL title in 2023. Since then, every season is a bonus round for fans who pack stadiums just to see him at work.
CSK is just three matches in IPL 2025. But the speculation is already running hot.
Nor has Dhoni’s form dipped significantly. He has now scored 5,289 runs in over 267 IPL matches with a strike rate of 137.7. He has scored 4,715 runs, an average of close to 40, just for CSK. That’s unusual for a lower-order batter.
Nonetheless, questions about his role this season have emerged. In a 197-run chase against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, CSK had Mihali hitting at number nine — and that position came after Ravichandran Ashwin. The team went on to lose by 50 runs, and fans spent the rest of the match asking why the captain didn’t intervene sooner.
As ever, Dhoni has kept mum over his future. But for a player who typically plays his cards close, the indicators are accumulating.
Is this the beginning of the end? Nothing’s a done deal, but Chepauk definitely seems to be holding its breath.
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