MS Dhoni's IPL Future Uncertain After CSK's Playoff Exit

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs are set to commence, with Kolkata Knight Riders, SunRisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru vying for the coveted trophy. However, the minds of many IPL enthusiasts are preoccupied with a pressing question: Is this the end of the road for MS Dhoni?

The Chennai Super Kings legend witnessed his team's heartbreaking defeat against RCB on Saturday, which eliminated them from the tournament. Dhoni was visibly devastated by the loss.

After leading CSK to victory in IPL 2023, Dhoni had hinted at retirement. However, he expressed his desire to continue playing for at least one more season due to the immense love and support he received from fans. That "one season" concluded on Saturday, but Dhoni has yet to make an official announcement regarding his IPL future.

According to a report in the Times of India, Dhoni will take a few months to make a decision. "Dhoni has not informed anyone in CSK that he is quitting. He has told the management that he will wait for a couple of months before making a final call," a source close to the developments revealed.

The report also stated that Dhoni was "devastated" after the loss and was among the first to leave the CSK camp for his hometown Ranchi on Sunday morning. He was later spotted riding his bike in Ranchi.

In the RCB vs CSK match, Faf du Plessis's RCB needed a victory to secure a top-four finish. The excitement was palpable at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as RCB emerged victorious by 27 runs. However, the celebrations from the players drew criticism after Dhoni left the pitch without shaking hands.

Videos on social media showed Dhoni waiting for the RCB players, who continued celebrating, before making his way to the dressing room without shaking hands. Virat Kohli later followed him inside to speak with the veteran star.

During a discussion on Cricbuzz, former England cricket team skipper Michael Vaughan criticized RCB players for not taking the time to shake hands with Dhoni. "I can see that with the RCB team. They enjoy a lot of support but they also wind out the people. We saw a lot of that tonight. I get that that they have never been in a position where they have won the IPL and they desperately made it to the eliminations. But you don't wanna be one of those teams that everyone wants to lose," Vaughan said.

Tags: #MSDhoni, #IPL2024, #ChennaiSuperKings, #RoyalChallengersBangalore, #Cricket