No trip to Ahmedabad? MS Dhoni heads to Ranchi on the day of CSK's final match

Mahendra Singh Dhoni packed his bags and left for Ranchi on the very day Chennai Super Kings take on Gujarat Titans in their final league stage match, a move that perfectly suits his laid-back approach to away matches this season.

The legendary former captain has left the team hotel and has already arrived in his hometown, according to ESPNCricinfo. The 44-year-old maestro will only return to the team if CSK can navigate the mathematical minefield necessary to secure a spot in the playoffs.

The move comes as no surprise to close observers given that Dhoni has strictly avoided traveling to away matches this season, making his lone standout trip to Lucknow earlier this month a solitary one.

CSK batting coach Mike Hussey later confirmed the reason behind Dhoni’s complete unavailability for the crucial clash in Ahmedabad, revealing that the veteran had brought a fresh, painful thumb injury. This development sheds light on why Dhoni was spotted with a heavily taped thumb during CSK’s recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad – especially in the only match of this entire IPL 2026 season where he actually took to the ground for his home fans in Chepauk.

For the Yellow Army, Dhoni’s departure is a pragmatic end to a campaign that has completely missed him on the field. Hampered by a stubborn calf injury just before the start of the tournament and now aggravated by a thumb problem, Dhoni has not played a single match in IPL 2026.

While he remained a looming presence in the dugout during home games, he spent the season dressed in training gear rather than yellow, leaving a void in the middle order. The emotional crescendo of this core retirement saga reached its peak earlier this week at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

After CSK’s disappointing five-wicket defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team did their traditional appreciation round to thank the Chepauk faithful. Dhoni, despite his multiple injuries, walked out to join the lap and wave to the stadium, which felt like he was saying goodbye in an unspoken way.

WILL DHONI PLAY IN IPL 2027?

It was during this touching tribute that Dhoni crossed paths with his long-time confidant and former teammate Suresh Raina, who was present at the venue as an announcer. Raina later revealed the private exchange which gave the CSK fan base a glimmer of hope about Dhoni’s chances of playing in IPL 2027.

“I told him, ‘You gave IPL 2026 a missed call. That won’t count. You have to come back next year’,” Raina shared on Star Sports. While Dhoni initially pointed to his ongoing fitness issues,

Raina pushed further, noting that fans desperately want him back. To this, Dhoni playfully replied, “Show.”

Raina interpreted the trademark open response as a potential green signal that the icon will work hard to make a comeback next season.

Whether Dhoni ever dons the yellow jersey again may entirely depend on the events of the next 24 hours. Chennai are currently sixth in the points table with 12 points from 13 matches and a negative net run rate of -0.016 with playoff hopes hanging in the balance. Not only do the five-time champions need a comprehensive, high-scoring win against the Titans on Thursday, but they also have to rely heavily on other tricky maths to fit perfectly to slip into the top four.

If the cards fall right, a flight from Ranchi to the playoffs will be booked. If not, Dhoni’s quiet exit to Jharkhand may be the final, silent curtain on the greatest career in IPL history.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

21 May 2026 09:15 IST