IPL: Chennai Super Kings veteran MS Dhoni hints at imminent retirement

After CSK's five-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, the atmosphere at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium already carried a sense of finality, with the franchise's playoff hopes all but extinguished and supporters denied the chance to watch Dhoni play one last time in yellow.

The former India captain did not feature in a single game during IPL 2026 after a calf injury ruled him out before the tournament began. Despite attempts to recover during the campaign, Dhoni never returned to action.

CSK coach Stephen Fleming had previously revealed that Dhoni was eager to come back, though the injury required careful management to avoid a setback that could have ended his season entirely.

After the match, Dhoni stopped short of formally announcing retirement, but his comments strongly hinted that the end may be near.

Speaking on Star Sports, former CSK teammate Suresh Raina revealed he urged Dhoni to play one more season, arguing IPL 2026 could not count as a proper goodbye because he never took the field.

"I told him 'you have given IPL 2026 a missed call. It won't count. You have to come back next year'," said Raina.

"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."