MS Dhoni came in with the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) side that faced the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday, May 18. However, he wasn't fit to play the game. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter watched the match from the sidelines as CSK lost to SRH by five wickets.
This was CSK's last home game of the season. After the match, the Men in Yellow went on a customary lap of honour, thanking the fans for their support throughout the home games. Dhoni also joined his team,
and the crowd greeted him with a huge cheer.
However, former CSK legend Ravichandran Ashwin opined that Dhoni didn't look as happy as he used to in previous seasons while going on the lap of honour. The cricketer-turned-expert said that Dhoni loves CSK a lot, but on Monday, it seemed to him that that love was missing.
"MS loves CSK a lot. Yesterday, when he was going for the lap (of honour), I didn't see that love. I just didn't feel that happiness. Earlier, every time he goes around, he goes with much happiness. But y'day felt different, I don't know why," Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.
🚨 Ashwin said Dhoni didn't look happy 🎙️
— Abhinav MSDian™ (@Abhinav_hariom) May 19, 2026
"MS loves CSK a lot. Yesterday, when he was going for the lap (of honor), I didn't see that love. I just didn't feel that happiness. Earlier, every time he goes around, he goes with much happiness. But y'day felt different, Idk why" pic.twitter.com/aSTecZ54dv
Dhoni remained on the sidelines for the first 13 matches. At the toss on Monday, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad said that Dhoni hasn't regained full fitness, a news that broke the hearts of a jam-packed Chepauk stadium. Meanwhile, the five-time champions find themselves in a spot of bother after losing the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They now have only one game left and can get to a maximum of 14 points. Gaikwad and Co. will need some other results to go their way in order to reach the playoffs.
