IPL 2024: Another 'Definitely Not'? MS Dhoni Is Yet To Decide About His IPL Retirement

The IPL 2024 season was expected to be the final hurrah for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend MS Dhoni. However, his retirement may have been temporarily postponed after a strange series of events in CSK's final league match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 18. Ahead of the crucial game, it was widely expected that the iconic wicketkeeper-batter would be able to play his farewell match at the Chepauk Stadium as CSK were primed to secure an IPL 2024 playoffs berth. The Indian Premier League 2024 season has reached the business end, and the biggest talking point this year has been the dominance of the bat over the ball, with batting-friendly pitches, record-breaking totals, shocking strike rates, and sixes galore being the norm of the season.

Another 'Definitely Not'? MS Dhoni Is Yet To Decide About His IPL Retirement

Every Chennai and MS Dhoni fan's hopes were shattered as RCB emerged victorious, eliminating CSK. But for a brief amount of time during the tense run-chase provided a glimmer of hope that Dhoni's farewell could still be pushed back. The Faf du Plessis-led RCB team registered a superb 27-run victory in a must-win encounter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in order to cement their position in the IPL 2024 playoffs. It is definitely one of the greatest and miraculous comebacks in the history of the T20 competition, as RCB were surely looking down and out during the opening stages of IPL 2024. 

In the final over, the 42-year-old smashed a colossal 110-meter six off Yash Dayal's bowling, sending the ball sailing out of the ground. The new ball given to Dayal was dry and proved difficult to score off. This prevented Dhoni from clearing the ropes again and keeping his promise of playing his final IPL match at Chepauk. Hugely devastated after the loss, Dhoni returned to the dressing room during the customary handshake post-match. However, CSK sources indicate the legendary cricketer has not definitively decided to retire yet.

"The ball was lost and had to be replaced. Dayal got a drier ball and suddenly hitting became difficult. Dhoni has not told anybody in CSK that he is quitting. He has told the management that he will wait for a couple of months before taking a final call," a senior CSK official said.

Thala Dhoni flew back to his hometown, Ranchi, the day after the 27-loss against the Bengaluru-based franchise. Meanwhile, RCB became the fourth team to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The 2016 finalists will compete against RR in Eliminator 1 on May 22 in Ahmedabad.