Mahendra Singh Dhoni Spotted in Ranchi After CSK’s IPL 2024 Campaign
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was seen in Ranchi following CSK’s exit from the IPL 2024 tournament. The team faced a virtual knockout against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, resulting in the end of their campaign.
Chasing a total of 219 runs, CSK struggled in the middle overs despite a recovery from a shaky start. Contributions from Rachin Ravindra with 61 runs and Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 42 were not enough to steer the defending champions to victory.
Even though CSK finished with 14 points, tying with RCB in the league stage, they fell short of securing a playoff spot due to RCB’s superior net run rate.
Dhoni’s Future with CSK and Speculations
As CSK bid adieu to the IPL, speculations arose regarding Dhoni’s potential departure from the franchise. However, the veteran player has remained tight-lipped about his future plans and quietly returned home after the match.
During the match, Dhoni batted at No. 8, scoring 25 runs off 13 balls, including three fours and a six, before being dismissed by Yash Dayal, dashing CSK’s hopes of advancing to the playoffs.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Dhoni can be seen getting into his car outside the Ranchi airport on Sunday afternoon.
In the IPL 2024 season, Dhoni amassed a total of 161 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 220.54 while playing lower down the batting order for Chennai. He also recorded 14 fours and 13 sixes during the tournament.
Hope for Dhoni’s Return in the Next IPL Season
With uncertainty looming over Dhoni’s future with the franchise, fans continue to hold onto hope for his return in the upcoming IPL season. As of now, there have been no concrete announcements from either the team or the iconic player.
(With inputs from IANS)
About the Author
Ritayan Basu
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and international cricket for several years.
First Published: May 19, 2024, 21:40 IST