Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) daunting chase of 197 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) took a critical turn in the 13th over when Shivam Dube fell, leaving Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. With 7.1 overs left and 117 runs still needed, fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium held their breath, expecting MS Dhoni to step in. However, instead of the legendary finisher, it was R. Ashwin who walked out, leaving the crowd stunned.
With the required run rate soaring past 15, CSK needed a power-hitter to take charge, making Dhoni the ideal choice. While a win seemed improbable, his presence could have at least reduced the margin of defeat. However, he only arrived at No. 9, and though he smashed an explosive 30 off 16 balls, including three fours and two sixes, it was too little, too late.
As soon as Phil Salt completed the catch at long-on to dismiss Ashwin, the Chepauk crowd erupted！not in disappointment, but in celebration. While RCB fans cheered their team edging closer to victory, CSK supporters had a different reason to rejoice: MS Dhoni was finally walking out to bat.
The sight of CSK fans applauding Ashwin's dismissal just to witness Dhoni's arrival at No. 9！when the match was already lost！made for an uncomfortable spectacle on television. When Dhoni smashed Krunal Pandya for two sixes in the final over, the stadium roared with excitement.
However, his late fireworks only raised questions. What if those sixes had come in the 14th over instead? Could they have shifted the momentum and put pressure on Rajat Patidar, a young captain leading RCB at Chepauk！a venue where Bengaluru hadn't won since 2008?
Cricket fans have now reached a point of frustration, as many believe CSK supporters seem more focused on watching Dhoni bat and hit sixes rather than cheering for the team's victory.?Many have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their disappointment, calling Dhoni¨s decision a selfish move. Some even argue that he should retire before his legacy is overshadowed by criticism and resentment.
One fan wrote, "I genuinely feel Dhoni should retire. Are you playing only as a wicketkeeper? When 6 runs were needed from 14 balls, you promoted yourself, but in a do-or-die situation, you came in at No. 9. Fans don¨t just want your sixes; they want a win!"
Another added, "It¨s time for Dhoni to realize he needs to retire from the IPL. If he continues, he will face a lot of trolls and criticism from the same people who worshipped and celebrated him all these years."
One fan expressed disappointment in Hindi, "I like MSD, but since last year, when the team is chasing and struggling, Dhoni doesn¨t come out to bat. He sends others ahead, they get out, and then he arrives at the end, hits a couple of boundaries, and the match is lost. MSD should retire; otherwise, the hatred will keep growing."
Another fan reflected, "Till 2023, it was fine！even against RR, though we lost, it still made sense. But in the 2024 IPL, Dhoni is neither the captain nor winning matches. It feels like he has been selfish for the last two IPL seasons."
One even added, "The more you see of Dhoni nowadays, the more you realize how selfish of a player he is. I really hope Kohli doesn¨t shamelessly drag out his career like this."
Another stated, "If Dhoni continues what he did yesterday, he'll end his career with a lot of hate and one of the worst farewells."
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Subs: Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Manoj Bhandage?
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed?
Impact Subs: Shivam Dube, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, Shaik Rasheed?
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