India, May 19 -- MS Dhoni did not make a formal retirement announcement at Chepauk, but his own words after Chennai Super Kings' final home game of IPL 2026 carried the weight of one.

After missing the entire season with a calf injury, Dhoni walked with the CSK squad during the lap of honour following their five-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. The night already had the feel of an ending. CSK had lost. Their playoff hopes were nearly gone. Chepauk had waited through the season to see Dhoni in yellow again, only to watch him complete a thank-you walk instead of playing one final home match.

That is when Suresh Raina, Dhoni's long-time CSK teammate and one of the franchise's most emotional voices, tried to pull one more season out of...