Ruturaj Gaikwad could not give Chennai Super Kings fans the answer they desperately wanted after another disappointing IPL season ended for the franchise. Asked about the possibility of MS Dhoni retiring after IPL 2026, the CSK captain admitted even he does not know what comes next for the legendary wicketkeeper-batter.
CSK’s season came crashing down after an 89-run defeat against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on May 21, a loss that officially eliminated them from the playoffs race and confirmed yet another forgettable campaign for the five-time champions.
Gaikwad yet again walked off the field with more questions than answers after CSK’s IPL 2026 campaign officially ended in disappointment. But like almost every recent CSK season, the biggest question once again revolved around MS Dhoni and whether Indian cricket has finally seen the legendary wicketkeeper-batter play his final match in yellow.
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“You and I both will get to know it next year,” Gaikwad said at the post-match presentation.
“It’s a hard miss. He is someone who puts fear in the opposition. He is someone who can change the momentum just by staying at the crease.”
Gaikwad also reflected on the impact Dhoni’s absence had on the squad throughout the season.
“I don’t know about next season but happy for the guys who played for us and the experience they earned this year,” he added.
WILL MS DHONI RETIRE AFTER IPL 2026?
Officially, there is still no confirmation. But for the first time, the possibility genuinely feels real.
After IPL 2025, Dhoni had publicly indicated that he would continue playing. This season, however, everything felt very different.
The injuries never properly allowed him to return. The waiting around his comeback became longer every week. And eventually, the speculation surrounding retirement almost became bigger than CSK’s actual campaign itself.
For Chennai fans, that uncertainty made IPL 2026 feel unusually emotional.
Dhoni has been the one permanent constant through almost every CSK era — the trophies, the rebuilds, the suspensions, the comeback title wins, the transitions and the collapses.
This year, even that certainty disappeared.
And perhaps the biggest reason the retirement question now feels heavier is because CSK themselves are clearly entering a transition phase.
The franchise already handed leadership responsibilities fully to Ruturaj Gaikwad, while younger players like Dewald Brevis, Shaik Rasheed and others were given larger roles during the season.
Even Dhoni’s presence around the squad increasingly looked more mentor-like than player-like.
Still, until Dhoni himself officially says the words, nobody around CSK truly seems ready to believe it is over.
END OF ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING SEASON FOR CSK
The bigger cricketing problem for Chennai is that the franchise’s struggles are no longer feeling temporary.
The defeat against Gujarat Titans confirmed CSK’s elimination from IPL 2026 and left them stuck on just 12 points from 14 matches with a negative net run rate.
More importantly, it marked the third straight season where Chennai failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Injuries played a major role in much of CSK’s drawbacks this year.
Dhoni missed the season completely. Several combinations never settled properly. CSK’s middle order remained inconsistent throughout the tournament, while their bowling attack struggled badly during crucial stretches.
Even heading into the final week, Chennai still needed an unlikely combination of results from other teams to stay alive in the playoff race after their defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
And while Chennai will undoubtedly focus on rebuilding ahead of IPL 2027, one question will continue following the franchise over the coming months.
Will there be one final season of MS Dhoni in yellow, or has the IPL already quietly witnessed the end of one of its greatest eras?
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