The 43-year-old legend, who returned to lead the side mid-season after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury, has found himself under intense scrutiny as CSK now stare at a possible last-place finish, a first in their IPL history.
With just one game left, CSK have lost all five matches where they batted first this season.
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Their latest defeat came against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, where the Chennai bowlers failed to defend 188.
Teen prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi starred again, smashing a composed 57, while Akash Madhwal and Yudhvir Singh Charak took three wickets each to help Rajasthan chase the target with ease.
The result has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many fans even calling for the veteran's retirement from the IPL.
#pleaseretiredhoni
— Ashishkumar_gr (@Akumar93993855) May 21, 2025
Dhoni bhai retire ho jaao #Dhoni
Dhoni should retire gracefully
— Waheed Malik (@WaheedMalik93) May 20, 2025
Young talents need their chance now. #CSKvsRR pic.twitter.com/wt3YYHNPFN
Sadly but MS Dhoni is finished both as a leader as well as a player. He must retire from IPL immediately.
— Farhan Shaikh (@Farhan_S89) May 20, 2025
Thala the Legend has come to an End 🫶#IPL2025
Just retire man people will tag me as glory hunter are you fine with dhoni getting sad like this if yes congrats pic.twitter.com/BieSzFgsjU
— MSDFIED (@MSDFIED07) May 20, 2025
Time to hang your boots MS Dhoni.
— Heropanti (@Heropantiiii) May 20, 2025
- More than benefiting the team, your causing them matches.
Please retire before it's too late.#CSKvRR #MSDhoni𓃵 pic.twitter.com/bb6FfSTjnY
Dhoni, please retire.. ab to log pair bhi choone lage hain... 👀#CSKvRR @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/f813ZPF9MA
— चाचा चौधरी (@saabukachacha) May 20, 2025
#Dhoni please retire #IPL2025 #CSKvsRR https://t.co/frqZeQNl1o
— Bharat (@SurVir181) May 20, 2025
Mr. Dhoni, bas kar do yaar… itni bezzati aur kitni bardasht karni hai? Gracefully retire kar lo ab.#CSKvRR #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/K1KSURC3LE
— Hemant (@Hemnttt) May 20, 2025
Once known for his calm leadership and match-winning instincts, Dhoni now finds himself at the receiving end of criticism for not being able to inspire a struggling CSK unit this season.
Batting down the order, Dhoni has scored 196 runs in 13 matches, with a strike rate of 135.17 and an average of 24.5, decent but far from the impact performances he once delivered consistently.
CSK’s problems, however, go beyond Dhoni.
The overseas players have failed to fire, and several veterans have looked out of form.
If Chennai doesn’t beat table-toppers Gujarat Titans by a big margin in their final league game, they will likely finish last, an unthinkable position for the five-time champions.
Whether this season marks the end of an era for MS Dhoni remains to be seen, but fans online are making their voices heard louder than ever.
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