Ambati Rayudu Hints At MS Dhoni's Return To IPL After Playoff Miss

Ambati Rayudu has suggested that MS Dhoni might return to play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) next year due to visible frustration and disappointment after the five-time champions failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings were eliminated from the IPL 2024 following a 27-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a highly anticipated southern derby at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.

The defending champions needed 17 runs in the final over to qualify for the playoffs based on Net Run Rate (NRR). Pacer Yash Dayal, despite being hit for a six by Dhoni on the first ball of the 20th over, managed to help RCB prevail. CSK needed 219 runs to win the match and 201 to qualify for the playoffs.

Speaking on Star Sports Cricket Live, Rayudu said, "I don't think this is his last game. I just don't see him wanting to end on this note." Even as RCB players celebrated, Dhoni shook hands with the opposition's reserves and support staff before quietly heading into the dressing room.

Rayudu added, "He looked a little frustrated, even when he got out. That's very unlike MS Dhoni; he just wanted to qualify and finish on a high. But you never know with MS Dhoni, he might come back next year."

Rayudu, who played under Dhoni at CSK, brought up the BCCI's role. "... With the impact player role as well, it gives him the opportunity to come in those last few overs and truly make that impact. BCCI better not remove the impact player role because we still want to see MS Dhoni play. So, it's up to BCCI now. Do we want to see MS Dhoni play or not."

While the match ended in disappointment for Dhoni and his team, RCB continued their resurgence with a sixth consecutive win, a notable achievement that saw them rise from the bottom of the table to make the playoffs.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden commented on Dhoni's situation, saying, "Yeah, I suppose when you come to the end of your career, whether it is the last part of his career or not, what you don't want to see is diminishing returns as an athlete." He added that Dhoni remains a crucial leader for CSK. "Firstly, as a leader, he is The Thala of Chennai Super Kings. This is telling me that nothing here is about becoming anything else other than first place. He's desperately using his brains and all of that cricket knowledge."

Hayden continued, "And of course, the power is there and that's always been MS Dhoni. He's always hit balls at this stage of an innings. At the front, you can understand how players can hit it. But at the back, it's really hard to hit balls." Dhoni scored 25 off 13 balls with three fours and a six, demonstrating his ability to still send the ball a long way.

(With PTI Inputs)