The Saturday evening clash between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore was dubbed ‘the last dance’, hinting at what might be the final time MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli would play together on the field. With the stakes high in a virtual knockout, victory for one spelled defeat for the other. Ordinarily, choosing sides is simple, but this match left even the most devoted cricket fans divided. A win for CSK would prolong Kohli’s disappointment, while an RCB win would signal Dhoni’s last outing in cricket. In the end, it was jubilation for Kohli and heartache for Dhoni, as RCB clinched the match by 27 runs to secure their 9th IPL Playoffs spot.

When Ravindra Jadeja couldn’t connect bat with ball needing 10 runs off two deliveries, Dhoni sat dejected in the dugout, perhaps realizing this marked the end. Nonetheless, Dhoni’s post-match conduct sparked significant doubts about his upcoming plans. The general belief was that IPL 2024 would signal Dhoni’s farewell. Despite his pledge to come back for another season to honor his supporters, hints had been dropped as early as the prior year. Unfortunately, things didn’t align as smoothly on this occasion.

After RCB finished off the victory, Dhoni stood up in the dugout and prepared to shake hands with the opposition in a blink-and-miss moment. Dhoni, though, turned around and left as the RCB’s emotional celebrations got out of control and they took their time to finish. Dhoni shook hands with a few of the dug-out staff members and reserve players, but he remained silent and did not say hello to Mohammed Siraj, Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, or anyone else.It was clear when Dhoni, who was nowhere to be found, and the rest of the CSK camp shook hands with Kohli and company. Is that all there is? Is this the last time we’ll ever see the legendary man?

Has MS Dhoni played his final IPL match?

If yes, the ending to Dhoni’s IPL and professional cricket career couldn’t have been more anti-climactic. Known to finish matches, Dhoni was there for CSK until the very last over. With 17 needed off the last over, Dhoni smoked Yash Dayal for a monster six that soared over 110 meters but failed to get the distance on the next, dismissed for 25 off 13 balls, having smashed three fours and a six. That Dhoni expressed his disappointment – he punched the bat after mistiming it (something he rarely does) – indicates that maybe it was indeed his swansong. But if there’s one thing the world has come to know about Dhoni, it is that you never know.

Even if it’s the end, don’t expect an announcement anytime soon. If he has indeed ridden into the sunset, he won’t take the limelight off the four teams that have fought tooth and nail, giving their sweat and tears to make it to the Playoffs. Certain former cricketers, including Dhoni’s close confidant Suresh Raina, feel he is not done and will return next year. CSK is him, he is CSK. And yes, while the baton has been passed on to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai may need more of Dhoni’s inputs the next year unless Gaikwad is moulded into a finished product as captain

But who knows what’s going on inside the head of that mad scientist? In a mother of all coincidences, Dhoni’s last Test match – against Australia in Sydney – and ODI – against New Zealand in Manchester – were interrupted by rains. So… if you know, you know.

Read more news like this on TheNewsmail…