Ahmedabad: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) reserved their best for the last.
The five-time champions posted their highest total of the season (230/5) and thrashed table-toppers Gujarat Kings by 83 runs. However, despite the resounding win in their final game, CSK finished at the bottom among 10 teams – tied on 8 points with Rajasthan Royals but with an inferior net run-rate.
It was the first time in 18 seasons of IPL that the men in yellow, under its legendary talisman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, had finished last in the league stage.
Their previous worst season was in 2022, when they occupied ninth place, with 4 wins and 10 losses – the same as in the current edition.
And at the end of their campaign in IPL 2025, the question in every CSK fans’ mind was – will Dhoni return as a player next season at the age of 44?
Asked about his plans by commentator Harsha Bhogle at the post-match presentation ceremony, the stand-in CSK captain said he would decide in the next few months.
“It depends… I have four or five months to decide (whether to play next season),” Dhoni said, keeping the suspense alive.
“It’s professional cricket.. you have to be at your best. It’s getting difficult every year. What’s important is to see how much hunger you have. I have enough time to decide. I’ll go back to Ranchi, enjoy a few bike rides,” Dhoni said, as adoring fans cheered and whistled.
“I’m not saying I’m done, I’m not saying I’m coming back.”
