Watch: MS Dhoni’s grand entry at Chepauk sparks emotional frenzy as CSK fall to Delhi Capitals

The MA Chidambaram Stadium witnessed a spine-tingling spectacle on Saturday night as MS Dhoni walked out to bat in Chennai Super Kings‘ clash against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. The crowd turned electric, erupting into a deafening roar that drowned every other sound — it was a moment that transcended cricket and turned into pure emotion.

With his parents Pan Singh Dhoni and Devaki Devi attending an IPL match in Chennai for the first time ever, alongside his wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva, the buzz around the match was supercharged with speculation. Fans and experts alike were left wondering: was this the day Dhoni would announce his retirement?

Chepauk turns into a sea of yellow and emotion

As soon as Dhoni emerged from the dugout, every single fan at Chepauk stood on their feet, chanting his name with full force. Flags waved furiously, phones lit up the stadium, and some teared up witnessing their hero possibly taking guard at the venue for the last time.

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The chants of “Dhoni! Dhoni!” were so loud they shook the ground. Even players paused to soak in the moment — such was the sheer aura of MS Dhoni stepping out to bat.

Match Summary

• Delhi Capitals: 183/6 (20 overs)
  KL Rahul top-scored with a classy 77 off 51 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. Abishek Porel added 33, while Tristan Stubbs chipped in with a valuable 24* at the death.
  For CSK, Khaleel Ahmed was the standout bowler with 2/25.
• Chennai Super Kings: 158/5 (20 overs)
  Despite the rousing support, CSK fell short by 25 runs. They struggled to keep up with the required rate after losing early wickets. Shivam Dube and Moeen Ali tried to steady the chase, but it was too steep to climb. Dhoni walked in late once again and couldn’t produce the miracle fans hoped for.

A special appearance fuels retirement talks

The presence of Dhoni’s family — especially his parents — sparked widespread speculation that this could be his final home game, or perhaps the day of his retirement announcement. Although Ruturaj Gaikwad led the side after recovering from an elbow injury, the talk in the stands and online remained centered around Dhoni.

Speaking at the toss, Gaikwad said, “My elbow is good, eager to go,” ruling out any possibility of Dhoni captaining again.

Coach Fleming on Dhoni’s role

CSK coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that Dhoni’s physical limitations play a role in his late batting position:
“It’s a time thing – MS judges it. His knees aren’t what they used to be. If the game’s in the balance, he’ll go earlier. Otherwise, he backs others.”

Points Table Update

• Delhi Capitals: 2nd place | 2 wins in 2 matches
• Chennai Super Kings: 8th place | 1 win in 4 matches

While CSK lost the match, the night will be remembered for something much bigger than the result. It was a celebration of a legacy. The love, the respect, and the undying admiration for MS Dhoni were on full display at Chepauk. Whether or not it was his final game in yellow at home, the atmosphere made one thing clear — MS Dhoni is and will forever be the heart of Chennai.

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