Did MS Dhoni played his ‘last match’ in IPL? Amid retirement rumors, fans speculate Sakshi Dhoni’s conversation with Ziva
New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings suffered another home defeat, leaving fans disappointed as Mahendra Singh Dhoni failed to deliver his characteristic powerful batting performance. His lackluster contribution led to social media expressing surprise and concern about his declining form.
Despite his reputation as a top finisher in limited-overs cricket, MS Dhoni was unable to lead the Chennai Super Kings to victory over the Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2025 match on Saturday.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fell short by 25 runs, scoring 158/5 in their 20 overs. MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 30 from 26 balls and Vijay Shankar’s 69 not out were insufficient to secure victory.
Before a recent cricket match, the presence of MS Dhoni’s parents at the stadium fueled retirement speculation. However, CSK coach Stephen Fleming confirmed Dhoni’s continued participation. Subsequently, a viral video showing Dhoni’s wife speaking to their daughter, Ziva, led to further conjecture. Although the conversation was inaudible, online claims suggested she mentioned “last match,” coinciding with the final innings of CSK’s losing game.
MS Dhoni entered the match for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at a challenging point in their chase of 184 runs. Following Ravindra Jadeja’s dismissal in the 11th over, CSK were 74/5, leaving 110 runs to score with nearly nine overs remaining. This situation presented a classic opportunity for Dhoni to lead CSK to victory, reminiscent of his famous last-ball six in the 2011 World Cup final.
MS Dhoni, 43, underperformed in Saturday’s match, contributing to Chennai Super Kings’ 25-run loss against Delhi Capitals—their first defeat at Chepauk in 15 years. His batting was significantly less effective than usual.
MS Dhoni and Vijay Shankar’s 84-run sixth-wicket partnership, a new Chennai Super Kings (CSK) record in the IPL, surpassing the previous best of 73, ultimately fell short of securing victory.
MS Dhoni’s late-innings contribution proved insufficient for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Despite hitting a four and a six, he was largely restricted by Mukesh Kumar and Mitchell Starc, leaving CSK needing 67 runs from the final three overs – a target they ultimately failed to reach.
MS Dhoni’s disappointing performance was particularly disheartening given the presence of his family—parents, wife, and daughter—in the audience. Prior to the game, Dhoni reportedly sought his father’s blessing. Speculation on social media suggested a potential, sudden retirement from IPL cricket, mirroring his previous unexpected departures from Test and ODI cricket.
MS Dhoni’s innings featured numerous dot balls, sparking considerable social media discussion. Some users called for his retirement, while others expressed disappointment at the legendary player’s difficulty in leading his team to victory.
“MS Dhoni’s reputation is built on years of leadership, consistency, and unmatched calmness, but sometimes even legends face moments where people question their choices,” said a fan on X, formerly Twitter.
“As a diehard Dhoni fan, I’m requesting @ChennaiIPL to drop MS Dhoni for the next few matches. Give his spot to youngsters like Shaik Rasheed or Vansh Bedi. We already have Conway for wicketkeeping. So, Dhoni not necessary in playing 11,” wrote another fan.
Following Dhoni’s free hit resulting in a dot ball, some fans created humorous memes, while others interpreted the event as a possible indication that he should retire.
Dhoni’s performance in IPL 2025 has generated considerable discussion. While his wicketkeeping, notably a dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav, received acclaim, his batting contributions, particularly a low score batting ninth in one game and a lack of significant runs in another, have drawn criticism.
His inability to effectively perform his signature finishing move on Saturday further intensified existing concerns.
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