Legendary Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni spoke on his retirement plans after CSK's thrilling two-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in IPL 2025. This was only CSK's third win of the season - one of their historically worst campaigns - and gave their fans one last moment of joy and perhaps hope for one more season with Dhoni on the pitch.

While they are standing at the bottom of the points table, this game still meant something, as 43-year-old Dhoni was at his calm best, scoring 17 runs not out off 18 balls, finishing the team’s chase of 180 - CSK's best chase since 2019. After the match, Dhoni addressed the mounting speculation surrounding his future in cricket; although he did not confirm his retirement plans, he said that returning in 2026 is still a possibility.

"That's the love and affection I have gotten throughout. I'm 43 and play only two months a year. After this IPL, I need to work 6–8 months to see if my body is able to cope again. Nothing to decide right now, but the support I get everywhere is just amazing," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.

Thala speaks. 🗣️ 🦁
We whistle. 🫡🥳#KKRvCSK #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/2FQqeyjFL3

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 7, 2025

Also read: Dewald Brevis: "I Aspire to Be Like MS Dhoni, Leading My Team to Victory"

"We Want Answers for the Next Year": Dhoni on CSK's Direction

CSK were bolstered by a team effort in Kolkata, with Noor Ahmad's four-wicket haul limiting KKR to 179, while Dewald Brevis (52 off 25), Shivam Dube (45), and Dhoni's calming influence made for a successful chase. The win didn't change the fact that Chennai are no longer in contention for the playoffs but dented KKR's title defense and restored pride back to the Yellow Army.

When looking back at the season, Dhoni felt the team needed to make some assessments strategically. "There were quite a few things that did not go our way. We need to be practical. We need to assess the players for next season - who is going where, who is able to cope with pressure, and who is aware of the game?" he said. It seemed clear from Dhoni's comments that a rebuilding approach was around for CSK. It was not about technique with Dhoni but mentality and the ability to adapt.

CSK fans are now left to ponder what is next, especially with Dhoni still remaining an active player and a chance that they could witness a goodbye at Chepauk in the home game coming up. However, with Dhoni's words, there is a glimmer of hope that the end to one of the game’s most loved careers is not set in stone just yet.

In the world of sports, it is common for younger players to be compared with one another. But sometimes a voice of reason breaks through the noise, reminding us of the importance of individuality, patience, and personal growth. The best thing a young athlete can hear in this situation is: "Just be yourself."

That's exactly what Ayush Mhatre's father told him. Speaking to Mid Day, he shared how he guided Ayush by saying not to feel pressured by comparisons, especially with fellow cricketers like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

In IPL 2025, we have witnessed the emergence of the two brilliant young talents- Ayush Mhatre of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals (RR). Both have performed brilliantly with the bat and stunned IPL fans and experts.

The 17-year-old right-handed batter was brought into the CSK squad during the midseason as a replacement for the injured former skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad. Right from his debut match, Mhatre contributed to the team with the bat with decent scores of 32 and 30, respectively. It was the recent event when he showed the nation his potential by hitting 94 runs off 48 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the crucial time of the match for Chennai.

His innings is packed with boundaries where he hit nine fours and five sixes. These crucial runs came in a crisis situation during CSK's 214-run chase, supported by a 114-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.

On the other hand, the 14-year-old Vaibhav was picked up by RR for INR 1.1 crore in the IPL auction. He hammered a 35-ball century innings against the Gujarat Titans and made a record of the youngest centurion in T20 history, and also the fastest Indian to reach a hundred in the IPL.

Yogesh Mhatre Advised His Son, Ayush, To Stay Focused On the Game And Ignore Unnecessary Comparisons With Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Till now, Mhatre has scored 163 runs with the bat in four innings at an average of 40.75 with a strike rate of 185.22. Despite Mhatre's success, his father advised him not to imitate Vaibhav Suryavanshi and to stay grounded and remain true to his individuality, as both of them are very different batters.

"I've told Ayush that he and Vaibhav are two very different batsmen, and that if someone compares him with Vaibhav, he should not dwell on it. I have also told him not to try to imitate Vaibhav or aim to score a century like him. I believe there is absolutely no need for Ayush to put any pressure on himself or try to achieve something big prematurely. He has a long way to go," Mhatre's father was quoted as saying by the Mid-Day.

In a world where everyone is running for quick success, these words are a reminder that growth and success take time. Ayush's father believes his son doesn't need to prove anything too soon.

It's very easy for young players to get distracted and feel they must match someone else's achievements. But this type of thinking can lead to stress and self-doubt. Instead of this, focusing on and improving the game will help the player in the long run.

This message isn't just for Ayush. It's for all young athletes and their families. Every player has a unique approach to playing, there's no need to copy or rush others. Because in the end, the best players aren't the ones who try to be like someone else, they're the ones who stay true to themselves.

The sensational encounter at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has sparked another controversy in IPL 2025 amidst Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday, May 3. RCB defeated CSK by just 2 runs but this could've been a different story had Dewald Brevis stayed longer at the crease. People again on social media raised the question, is IPL scripted? 

Turmoil in the 17th over

The high-stakes RCB vs CSK IPL 2025 clash took a controversial turn in the 17th over when CSK batter Dewald Brevis was given out LBW by umpire Nitin Menon. Brevis, shocked with the decision, walked back to the dugout, and incidentally, so was Ravindra Jadeja, his batting partner, who had never seen such a bizarre instance in his life. CSK's chase of 213 was marching well thus far, and the dismissal of an in-form Brevis at such an important time in the match had broken a vital rhythm.

Lungi Ngidi bowled a full toss that struck Brevis on the pad. From the naked eye, it appeared the ball was going down the leg side. Despite this, Ngidi and other RCB players went up in a loud appeal, prompting umpire Menon to raise his finger instantly. The decision came as a blow to CSK, who had just lost Ayush Mhatre the previous delivery after his brilliant 94 off 48 balls. Brevis entered as the fifth batter with CSK at 172, and expectations were high that he would help guide the team to victory alongside Jadeja.

Read More: IPL 2025: KKR vs RR Match 53- Who will be Impact Players for today's match?

Following the decision, Brevis turned to Jadeja for a quick conversation about reviewing it. However, confusion arose as the standard 15-second DRS timer was missing from the screen. Players typically rely on this on-screen timer to decide if they want to challenge an umpire’s decision. With no visible countdown, Jadeja looked around in uncertainty, seemingly waiting for the clock to appear. By the time they attempted to signal for a review, the umpire deemed it too late, leading to frustration among CSK players and fans. When Dewald signaled the umpire for DRS, Menon, the umpire in charge on the field, asked him to leave the ground. Dewald was shaking his head in disbelief, Jadeja was arguing with the umpire to reconsider his decision, and commenters labeled the whole situation controversial. 

Worst umpiring decision of the #IPL2025 😢

Dewald Brevis Wasn't allowed to use DRS as he ran out of the time and Timer was not shown on screen ❌

Is the match fixed or not ?#RCBvsCSK pic.twitter.com/lImk4MFkP8

— Indian Cricket Team (@incricketteam) May 3, 2025

Mumbai Indians vs. Rajasthan Royals (MI vs. RR), Match 50, IPL 2025

A similar controversy unfolded during the Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals clash in IPL 2025. In the second over of the first innings, Rohit Sharma was given out by the on-field umpire. The 15-second DRS timer appeared clearly on the screen. Rohit, after a brief discussion with Ryan Rickelton, signaled for a review—but crucially, he did so after the timer had already expired. Despite this, the umpire accepted the review, raising eyebrows and triggering discussions about consistency in DRS enforcement.

This incident has drawn comparisons with the Dewald Brevis controversy in the RCB vs CSK match, where no 15-second timer was displayed on screen. Brevis was denied a review after being given out LBW, despite clear confusion on the field. Ravindra Jadeja appeared to be waiting for the timer to appear before making a decision. Fans are now questioning why Rohit Sharma was granted a DRS after the timer ran out, while Brevis was denied the chance altogether. The inconsistency has fueled outrage among CSK supporters and sparked renewed debate about fairness and transparency in the use of DRS during crucial IPL matches.

Two controversial DRS moments in IPL 2025

1. Rohit Sharma took DRS when the DRS timer showed 0 seconds left.

2. Dewald Brevis ran out of DRS time limit without a timer on screen. 

Gujarat wicket-keeper batter Urvil Patel, 26, is making headlines in the cricketing circuit ever since his exceptional show in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and there are speculations that he could be a mid-season pick-up for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2025.

Patel's career has been outstanding, especially after he went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. Far from being depressed, he came back with a string of powerhouse performances. The most outstanding one being, his record 28-ball century off 28 balls for Tripura in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, shattering Rishabh Pant's record of fastest T20 century by an Indian. Such an amazing accomplishment went on to garner the interest of cricket analysts as well as the fans with speculation about him making it into the IPL this year.

Fuel was added to the fire with recent Instagram posts by Urvil Patel that created further rumors. The posts contain interactions with CSK players, and although the interactions do not seal any formal talks, they have created curiosity among the fans. Patel joining CSK, particularly during the current season, has been a topic of general speculation with analysts opining that his explosive batting could fill the gaps in the side.

ALSO SEE:Rohit's Heartwarming Gesture Goes Viral After Ball Boy Falls at His Feet – Watch the Video

Speculation Surrounding Patel’s Potential CSK Move

CSK, currently engaged in the IPL 2025 season, has priority games in hand against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 3, Kolkata Knight Riders on May 7, and Rajasthan Royals on May 12. The team is engaged in looking for ways to strengthen their unit, and an in-season acquisition like Urvil Patel can provide the perfect boost to their batting lineup. His attacking style of play can be invaluable during critical stages of the tournament.

But importantly, no word of authorization has been given as yet by CSK on Patel joining them. Everything is mere speculation so far, and fans must wait for any authorization given by the franchise. Till then, the buzz about Patel's IPL future remains, and fans can only expect to see him wearing the yellow jersey some time in the future.

In an IPL 2025 season that has pushed Chennai Super Kings' depth and resilience to the limit, there has been one name that has stood out consistently Khaleel Ahmed. The left-arm pacer once again justified his place in CSK's lineup during their narrow loss to Punjab Kings at Chepauk, producing a match-winning performance in a high-scoring encounter.

While most CSK bowlers leaked runs at more than nine an over, Khaleel kept things tight and showed control under pressure. He picked up two crucial wickets those of Priyansh Arya and Suryansh Shedge at key moments, helping CSK drag the game into the final over. Though Chennai fell short, Khaleel’s fight and fire gave fans a reason to cheer.

What made the night more special was a heartfelt reunion after the match. Khaleel caught up with the family of Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting his former mentor at Delhi Capitals. The pair spent three seasons together in Delhi, during which Khaleel picked 42 wickets from 33 matches under the leadership of Ponting. Although both shifted to new franchises following IPL 2024 Khaleel with CSK and Ponting leading PBKS they surely do maintain an unbreakable bond between themselves.

ALSO SEE:Anushka Sharma Turns a Year Older, RCB Calls Her the 'Strongest Pillar' Behind King Kohli

Khaleel and Ponting Share a Strong Bond Despite Moving to New Teams

In a touching moment that melted hearts online, Khaleel posed for a selfie with Ponting, his wife, and children. Chennai Super Kings’ official account captured the moment with a caption that read.

Watch the video:

KHALEEL AHMED MEETING RICKY PONTING & HIS FAMILY 🥺💛

- A lovely video, This is the victory of IPL. pic.twitter.com/9sJBcoH7nZ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 1, 2025

On the field, the 27-year-old has been among CSK’s top performers. He has taken 14 wickets in 10 matches so far, with an economy rate of 8.85 and an average of 22.57. Most impressively, he leads the tournament in powerplay wickets with nine underlining his knack for early breakthroughs.

After a painful loss to Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the season, Khaleel showed his fighting spirit, saying, “We’ll take the hits,” as CSK looked to rally in the second half of the campaign.

Chennai now prepares for a crucial clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 3 in Bengaluru. With Khaleel in red-hot form, CSK will be hoping he continues to lead from the front.

An unthinkable has happened. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the five-time IPL champion side, has been knocked out of IPL 2025, an alarming moment for the franchise and their followers. Former cricketers and cricket experts have started to criticize the team management brutally.

Taking a step further, former CSK and Team India player Harbhajan Singh has come up with a serious allegation against the team management. According to him, Super Kings officials intentionally did not cash in for 'good' cricketers during the mega auction. 

After scoring 190, batting first in M. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Super Kings lost to Punjab Kings in game 49 of IPL 2025. It was their 8th loss of the season out of 10 matches they have played so far. All hope for CSK for the playoffs qualification had gone as soon as they faced defeat against PBKS. 

Read More: IPL 2025: Who Is Mumbai Indians New Spinner Raghu Sharma, Replacement For Vignesh Puthur?

Despite having a bunch of ace players of the game, the team struggled from the beginning of the season and failed to find the right combination. Before the IPL 2025, CSK management had a golden opportunity to rope in some of the active international players like KL Rahul, Mohammad Siraj, Rishabh Pant, and many others. But they didn't show any intention to bet on a crazy purchase. Harbhajan Singh feels that the management went totally wrong in the mega auction to let go of some of the top talents in modern cricket. 

'CSK had a bad auction'

"People think MS Dhoni carries a winning injection in his pocket, but they should understand the current squad is not good enough to fight for the title. Earlier, they had a champion team," Harbhajan Singh said on the broadcasting channel.

"They had a bad auction. I heard from three or four people close to the Chennai Super Kings that they intentionally didn’t buy good players in a mega auction. The people representing CSK ignored the suggestions given to them by some cricketers. I don’t know whose instructions they were working on."

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is in the tight corner in the ongoing IPL 2025. Cricket fans are amazed to see CSK struggling so badly match after match. Their IPL 2025 dream is almost over; even their iconic cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni also previously talked about the importance of the right combination for the next season.

The five-time IPL champion team still has some hope left to qualify for the playoffs stage, but the ray of hope is too faint to achieve; mathematically possible, almost impossible to do in real life. Why does CSK have to brawl so much to claim a win?

During the Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs. CSK encounter, match 49 of IPL 2025, a poll result has shown on the screen with the question, "What has gone wrong for CSK this season?" followed by 4 possible responses—the batting, the bowling, the fielding, and everything.

Read More: 'Na dare, na gym kare, bas hat-trick le Chahal kare' – Fans erupt as Yuzi Chahal scripts magical over against CSK at Chepauk

Poll result has suggested CSK need to improve 'everything'

31% of votes within 100 percent went for 'the batting,' 2% each for 'the fielding' and 'the bowling,' and the rest of the 65% voted for 'everything.' CSK entered MA Chidambaram Stadium after playing 9 matches, searching for their third win of the season.

Like critics, cricket-loving fans also have tried to find the exact reason for which CSK failed to justify their legacy for the season. The former champion failed to perform as a unit. There was some individual brilliance; players, for example we can say about Noor Ahmed, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dewald Brevis, they have performed individually well, but as we know, cricket is a team game. CSK may have to go for an effective shakeup before the upcoming season ignites. 

In what could be a defining moment for Chennai Super Kings fans, MS Dhoni dropped a surprising statement during the toss ahead of CSK’s match against Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Speaking with Danny Morrison, Dhoni left fans emotional by joking, "I don't know if I'm coming for the next game (laughs)." His light-hearted comment quickly sparked massive speculation about his retirement from the IPL.

While Dhoni laughed it off, the hint was enough to send the cricket world into a frenzy. Fans present at Chepauk and millions watching from home couldn’t help but wonder, Is this the end of an era?

Dhoni’s Stunning Comment at Toss

When Danny Morrison cheekily asked if fans could expect Dhoni back next year, the CSK captain replied with his signature smile, “Currently, I don’t know if I’m playing the next game or not (laughs).”

Dhoni elaborated on CSK’s season struggles, emphasizing the importance of home advantage, pride in performance, and the challenges of team consistency after a fresh auction:

“Home advantage is very important, which we haven’t been able to capitalise on. We’ve been on the side where we don’t make many changes. But this season, it hasn’t worked for us. If most players are doing well, you chop and change just 1-2 players. But this year, we’ve had to make more changes.”

ALSO SEE: IPL 2025: Glenn Maxwell ruled out of tournament; Here is reason

Is Retirement Around the Corner?

Last year, Dhoni had openly expressed his wish to play his final IPL match at Chepauk in front of his beloved home crowd. CSK’s final home game this season is against Rajasthan Royals on May 12, and fans are now wondering if that will be Dhoni’s grand farewell.

Although Dhoni has not officially announced his retirement, today’s remarks only fuelled the emotional anticipation. After leading CSK with unmatched pride and passion for so many years, could we be just days away from witnessing the end of an unforgettable chapter?

Match Update: CSK vs PBKS

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first. PBKS had to do without their key overseas player, Glenn Maxwell, who is sidelined due to a fractured finger.

Here are the playing XIs for today’s clash:

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, MS Dhoni (w/c), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis (w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Suryansh Shedge, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.

As the sun sets over Chennai, all eyes will remain glued not just on the action between CSK and PBKS, but also on every move of MS Dhoni the heartbeat of Chennai Super Kings.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is now going through a rare bad patch in their entire IPL history. After playing 9 IPL 2025 matches, they are now facing a rock-bottom situation in the points table with only 2 wins and 7 losses. It appears that their season is almost over, but metaethically there is still some hope left. According to stats, the 5-time IPL champion franchise still can qualify for the next phase of the tournament. With 4 points in the bag, CSK is scheduled for 5 more matches.

Remaining IPL 2025 matches of Chennai Super Kings:

1.      CSK vs Punjab Kings (PBKS)- April 30, Game 49

2.      Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs CSK-—May 3, Game 52

3.      Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs CSK-—May 7, Game 57

4.      CSK vs Rajasthan Royals (RR)- May 12, Game 63

5.      Gujarat Titans (GT) vs CSK-—May 18, Game 69

It is obvious that if the Yellow Brigade wants to enter into the next round, then they have to win all of their remaining matches by hook or by crook.   Parallelly, they have to keep an eye on the other match results. If the teams that are now positioned as the table toppers start to drop points in their upcoming matches, and on the other hand, CSK gets favorable results in their anticipated matches, then the possibility for a play-off spot can spread. Net run rate also can play a crucial role, as CSK currently has only -1.302 NRR. So, not only do they have to win the next matches, but they also have to win the matches by a huge margin.

Read More: WATCH: Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi share their favorite cricketers in a fun challenge!

Chennai Super Kings qualification scenario:

Match 48Delhi Capitals (DC) vs KKR-—KKR win

Match 49CSK vs PBKS-—CSK win

Match 50RR vs Mumbai Indians (MI)- RR win

Match 51GT vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)- GT win

Match 52RCB vs CSK-—CSK win

Match 53KKR vs RR-—RR win

Match 54-—PBKS vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)- LSG

Match 55-—SRH vs DC-—SRH win

Match 56MI vs GT-—GT win

Match 57KKR vs CSK-—CSK win

Match 58PBKS vs DC-—DC win

Match 59LSG vs RCB-—RCB win

Match 60SRH vs KKR-—SRH win

Match 61PBKS vs MI-—PBKS win

Match 62DC vs GT-—GT win

Match 63-—CSK vs RR-—CSK win

Match 64RCB vs SRH-—RCB win

Match 65GT vs LSG-—GT win

Match 66MI vs DC-—DC win

Match 67RR vs PBKS-—RR win

Match 68-—RCB vs KKR-—KKR win

Match 69GT vs CSK-—CSK win

Match 70LSG vs SRH-—SRH win

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) young sensation Rinku Singh has emerged as a go-to finisher in the IPL, courtesy of wise inputs from all-time greats such as MS Dhoni and Andre Russell. Composed in pressure games, Rinku feels fitness and mental toughness are the two pre-requisites for being a top-notch finisher in T20 cricket.

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During a recent interview with JioHotstar on 'Gen Bold,' Rinku spoke about his position in the middle order, where he bats at numbers five or six. Referencing his experiences with UP and KKR, Rinku stressed that it is crucial to keep the body physically fit enough to deal with the pace of the IPL's 14-match schedule. "It's my responsibility to keep my body in shape and recover well," he clarified.

Rinku also revealed the advice he gets from MS Dhoni, who has been a great help in coping with pressure. "I talk to Mahi Bhai a lot. He advises me to keep calm and play as per the situation of the match. Everything goes well when you are in a calm state of mind," Rinku said. This advice has gone a long way in shaping him into a finisher.

Though his recent performance in IPL 2025 has been a work in progress, Rinku's struggles are part of the journey. In seven innings and eight games, he has scored 133 runs at a 33.25 average, strike rate of 146.15, and a highest score of 38*. Though these statistics indicate some struggles in achieving consistency, Rinku is still optimistic about his potential to get better and close out games under pressure.

Also, Rinku discussed whether teams can cross 300 in an IPL inning, referring to the number of high-scoring matches in the recent seasons. "IPL has come a point where it is possible. Each team is very good, and anyone can reach there," he stated.

With MS Dhoni’s advice and his own dedication, Rinku Singh is shaping up to be one of the most reliable finishers in IPL 2025.

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