IPL 2025: MS Dhoni may receive the worst farewell for a highly decorated Indian captain if CSK fail to fire again

In what may be the most heartbreaking chapter of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mahendra Singh Dhoni's likely final campaign with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is heading towards a potentially disastrous conclusion.

A man who once ruled the cricketing world with calm authority and unmatched tactical brilliance is now at the centre of an emotional reckoning, as his beloved franchise falters alarmingly in IPL 2025.

A Storied Career in Jeopardy of an Uneven End

MS Dhoni, widely regarded as one of India's greatest cricketing captains, boasts an unparalleled legacy, being the only captain to have won all three major ICC trophies—the T20 World Cup in 2007, the 50-over World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Under his leadership, Chennai Super Kings became a powerhouse, clinching five IPL titles and earning the undying loyalty of fans across generations.

Further, Dhoni’s presence at the crease, his ice-cool finishing abilities, and his calmness in high-pressure situations made him a legend not only in India but globally.

However, IPL 2025 has brought none of the spark that defined Dhoni's prime years. With just one win in their first six matches, CSK currently sit at the bottom two of the points table.

A humiliating seven-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday, where the team crumbled to a record-low 103/9 at their fortress, Chepauk, has left playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Making matters worse, a dismal net run rate of -1.554 further darkens an already bleak outlook.

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Dhoni’s Diminishing Role and the Leadership Burden

At 43, Dhoni’s role has naturally evolved. While his agility behind the stumps remains commendable, his famed finishing prowess has seen a dip.

From a blistering strike rate of 220.55 in 2024, he now operates at a more subdued 138.18—respectable but not match-defining. He rarely bats up the order, appearing mostly in the final overs, perhaps aware that the magic moments are no longer as frequent.

When Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury, Dhoni was thrust back into captaincy. Yet the burden of rescue fell once again on his shoulders.

His post-match comments after the KKR loss carried a rare note of disappointment: “We never built partnerships. The middle order must step up.”

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Chennai's Rocky Road Ahead

The road to the playoffs is now perilously narrow. CSK must win seven of their remaining eight games to realistically reach the 16-point mark required for qualification.

Even 14 points may not suffice, given their current net run rate. The calendar offers no respite either, with upcoming matches against formidable opponents like Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Titans.

A Farewell That Doesn’t Fit the Legend

For a cricketer of Dhoni’s stature, fans hoped for a grand send-off complete with a celebratory lap of honour, a signature last-ball six, and a rousing ovation in a packed stadium

 Instead, what seems to be looming is a quiet, even disheartening exit. The thought of Dhoni walking off silently from a half-filled ground after another defeat is painful for even neutral observers.

It feels unjust that a man who redefined leadership and team spirit in Indian cricket might bow out amid such gloom.

Should CSK exit early, it may mark the end of an era not with firecrackers and chants but with quiet resignation. One of the IPL’s brightest lights is dimming away, without the celebration he so deserves.

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Yet, hope remains. If there's one thing cricket has shown, it's that miracles do occur, especially when someone like MS Dhoni is involved. The franchise has bounced back from the brink before. Perhaps there’s one last roar left in the lion.