CSK CEO stops MS Dhoni for chat after PBKS knock them out of IPL; ‘They don’t need him next year,' says Pollock
The IPL 2025 campaign has taken a disheartening turn for the Chennai Super Kings. In what seems like the end of an era, the iconic franchise faced their fifth defeat at home—this time to the Punjab Kings—ultimately becoming the first team this season to be knocked out of the playoff race. As the dust settled at the Chidambaram Stadium, a quiet yet notable moment unfolded: CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath stopped MS Dhoni on the sidelines for a brief, heartfelt chat.
With speculation swirling around Dhoni’s future in the IPL, especially as he turns 43 this season, this conversation has taken on a special significance. The visuals showed no tension—just smiles and light-hearted exchanges—but in the context of CSK’s dismal season, the moment carried emotional weight. Dhoni, ever the sportsman, soon walked away from the chat and playfully interacted with IPL’s robotic camera, 'Champak', drawing warm reactions from fans.
This season was Dhoni's return to captaincy after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to an elbow injury. Yet, despite the return of their talismanic leader—who boasts five titles and 11 finals under his belt—CSK’s fortunes didn’t improve. With only four wins in 10 matches, the team remained rooted to the bottom of the table, marking the second consecutive year without a playoff appearance. This also marks the first time in IPL history that Dhoni will not be part of the final for two straight years.
Adding to the intrigue, former cricketer Shaun Pollock made a pointed remark after the defeat, saying, “They don’t need him next year.” While the statement might sound dismissive, it likely stems from a place of respect—acknowledging that perhaps it's time for CSK to turn a new page, and for Dhoni to gracefully bow out of the league he helped define.
As the league moves toward its climax without CSK in the mix, fans are left wondering: Was that chat between Viswanath and Dhoni a casual exchange—or the beginning of a farewell?
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