MS Dhoni once again found himself at the center of the post-match spotlight as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) edged past Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a thrilling two-wicket win at Eden Gardens. While the result brought a moment of joy in an otherwise forgettable season for CSK, the conversation quickly shifted to what every fan wants to know—is this Dhoni’s final IPL season?

Returning to captain the side after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined due to injury, MS Dhoni steadied the ship but couldn’t turn the tide enough to keep CSK in playoff contention. Despite that, CSK showed signs of their old resilience against KKR. Chasing 180, CSK recorded their highest successful chase since 2019, thanks to a well-rounded effort led by Dewald Brevis’ blistering 52 off 25, Shivam Dube’s composed 45, and a calm, unbeaten 17 from Dhoni himself.

But it was Dhoni’s post-match reflections that truly caught attention. The 43-year-old icon acknowledged the uncertainty around his retirement but didn’t provide a definitive answer.

ALSO READ: Match 58 (PBKS vs DC) – Probable XII and Fantasy XI Predictions

“The love and affection I’ve received is beyond words. I know I’m 43 now and only play for two months a year, so it takes me 6 to 8 months to prepare physically for the next IPL. Whether my body will take that load again—well, that’s something I’ll need to see,” he said. “Nothing has been decided yet,” MS Dhoni added, sparking fresh hope among fans that this might not be the final chapter.

CSK’s victory, only their third of the season, may have little impact on the points table, but it certainly disrupted KKR’s playoff march. Noor Ahmad’s clinical four-wicket spell helped restrict the hosts to 179, and a confident chase followed. Dhoni praised the team’s effort and outlined his focus for the remaining matches—evaluating the bench strength with next season in mind.

Dhoni on playing IPL 2026 pic.twitter.com/uSJ77OXHdw

— रोहन (@Pvthaibhai) May 7, 2025

“We’re looking at who can slot in where, who can handle pressure situations. You can’t just look at technique—you need players who can read the game, sense the bluff deliveries, and make the right decisions under pressure,” he explained.

ALSO READ: Match 58 (PBKS vs DC) – 3 Player Battles To Watch Out For

MS Dhoni also revealed his on-field strategy, particularly the advice he gave to Shivam Dube. “We wanted to take their main spinners—Sunil and Varun—out of the game. Brevis gave us that momentum. I told Dube to take it deep, play smart, and not lose wickets to their top bowlers. He did just that, hitting a couple of crucial sixes that swung the game our way,” Dhoni said.

While CSK won’t be part of the playoff drama this year, the final two matches—especially the farewell game in Chennai—promise to be emotional. Whether or not this is Dhoni’s final season remains a mystery, but if this truly is the end, he’s signing off with grace, grit, and a legacy that will be impossible to match.