The crowd at Chepauk erupted when MS Dhoni walked out during the mid-innings break for the team photoshoot. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter was expected to feature against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday
in the Indian Premier League 2026, marking Chennai Super Kings’ final home game. However, reports confirmed he missed out due to a fresh thumb injury, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad later confirming his absence at the toss.
IPL 2026 | Schedule | Results | Orange Cap | Purple Cap
The CSK fans were obviously disheartened over Dhoni’s absence. However, the former CSK skipper lifted their moods with a brief presence after the completion of the first innings. Dhoni stepped onto the field, clicked a picture with the team and silently walked into the dressing room amid loud cheers.
Fans flooded social media with emotional tributes for the legend, sharing heartfelt messages and reactions. Here’s how they responded.
The last “THALA” MS Dhoni screams at Chepauk 🥹
The rivalries and matches wont be the same without you Thala, Go well ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aIbMMikQuX— ‘HK’ (@potter_here18) May 18, 2026
After the group photo session, MS Dhoni was quietly carrying his own chair… 🥺💛
That’s the beauty of Thala, no attitude, just pure humility despite achieving everything in cricket. 🙇♂️✨ pic.twitter.com/9vwGsL2P00
— Rohit Nation (@Rohitnation45) May 18, 2026
???????????????????????????????????? ????????????????! ♾️😮💨
Chepauk goes berserk with roars as #MSDhoni steps onto the field for the team photo! 💛👏🙌#TATAIPL Race to Playoffs 2026 👉 #CSKvSRH | LIVE NOW ➡️https://t.co/1MHhpANXCI pic.twitter.com/AVqH80LCtr
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 18, 2026
MS Dhoni walking out for CSK’s 2026 team group photo at Chepauk.💛💥 pic.twitter.com/mJuEylxnrT
— Rohit Nation (@Rohitnation45) May 18, 2026
MS DHONI FOREVER 🥹💛 pic.twitter.com/Kly36Ve1Ws
— DHONI Trends™ (@TrendsDhoni) May 18, 2026
Dhoni in Chepauk pic.twitter.com/y96pfxvOF3
— rocket.jadeja (@sherjedeja) May 18, 2026
MS Dhoni for Team Photoshoot during innings break 😍❤️.
Last match for CSK 🥹💔 pic.twitter.com/05lBajado8
— Jeet (@JeetN25) May 18, 2026
Earlier, Sanju Samson provided a blazing start for Chennai, taking on Nitish Kumar Reddy with a sequence of 6, 4, 4 in the very first over to collect 17 runs. He continued his aggressive approach in the next over, hammering Praful Hinge for three consecutive boundaries and putting the opposition under early pressure.
However, Pat Cummins turned things around in the third over, dismissing Samson after a quickfire start, with Ishan Kishan taking a safe catch. Urvil Patel showed intent with two big sixes but was soon bowled by Sakib Hussain.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma (32 off 19) then added a steady 42-run partnership to rebuild the innings. Kartik impressed with his shot selection, but Cummins struck again to dismiss him, and Gaikwad too fell shortly after.
Chennai found momentum through Dewald Brevis (44 off 27) and Shivam Dube (26), who added 59 runs for the fifth wicket. Brevis looked fluent but was bowled by Eshan Malinga, and despite late efforts, Chennai fell just short of the 200-run mark.
