Chepauk’s noise turned even louder on Monday night as MS Dhoni stepped onto the field during Chennai Super Kings’ last home outing of IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Dhoni did not make it into the XI because of injury worries, but his brief mid-innings appearance still became a defining moment for the roaring crowd in Chennai.
Quick facts
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai
- Event: Dhoni walked out during the mid-innings break in CSK’s final home game of IPL 2026
- Dhoni’s status: Not included in the playing XI due to fitness concerns (calf injury)
- CSK innings total: 180/7 after being asked to bat first
- SRH bowling: Pat Cummins took 3 wickets; Sakib Hussain took 2 wickets
- Key contributions for CSK: Sanju Samson made 27; Dewald Brevis scored 44
As the break in play began, Dhoni joined the rest of the CSK group on the ground for a team photograph. The players gathered on chairs close to the boundary ropes, and the stands erupted with chants aimed at the celebrated wicketkeeper-batter. Clips of the moment spread quickly online, with fans highlighting it as Dhoni’s final Chepauk appearance of the season.
The evening had already taken an emotional turn around the toss when former India coach Ravi Shastri asked a direct question to CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. With the atmosphere charged, Shastri wanted to know whether Dhoni would finally be back in action, prompting a wave of cheers from the crowd.
“I have to ask you that question. MS Dhoni, where is he? Is he playing?” Shastri asked, and the stadium responded with deafening noise.
Gaikwad then clarified that Dhoni was still not fit enough to take part. “He’s still here, but he’s not fit enough to play this game,” the CSK captain said, confirming the calf issue kept Dhoni on the sidelines for this match.
With Dhoni watching from outside the XI due to the calf injury, CSK began their chase-by-innings by setting a target. After being put in to bat first, the hosts managed 180/7, a total shaped by a handful of promising bursts but slowed by regular dismissals.
Pat Cummins was the standout for Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading the bowling effort with three wickets. Sakib Hussain also made an impact by taking two crucial scalps, tightening the contest at key stages.
Chennai did get early momentum, with Sanju Samson striking 27 to give the innings a sharp start. Dewald Brevis then added important runs in the middle overs, contributing 44, but the wickets kept falling at regular intervals and stopped CSK from reaching the 200-run mark.
With playoff implications hanging over the clash for both sides, CSK’s 180/7 set up a pressure-filled chase as the night’s biggest storyline remained Chepauk’s tribute to Dhoni—despite his absence from the playing XI.
