Former India and CSK all-rounder Suresh Raina dismissed speculations about MS Dhoni’s potential retirement from IPL after the team’s final league game in Chennai in the 2024 season. Raina, who was providing commentary during the IPL 2024 match between Chennai and Rajasthan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, was asked whether Sunday’s match would mark Dhoni’s farewell in Chennai. Raina responded with the succinct and familiar phrase attributed to Dhoni: “Definitely Not.”
Is This MS Dhoni’s Last Match At Chepauk???
Suresh Raina : Definitely Not 😀💛#SureshRaina | @ImRaina | #Raina pic.twitter.com/uJHgQT7qrW
— SHANNU 🇮🇳 (@Shannu_Raina3) May 12, 2024
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Former Tamil Nadu cricketer Abhinav Mukund posed the question to Raina, a close friend of Dhoni, which had been circulating on social media following an emotional post by CSK about their former captain ahead of the high-profile match. The team’s hint at a lap of honor for the players after Sunday’s game against RR fueled speculation about a potential significant announcement from Dhoni.
“Obviously, I have to ask you this question. Is this MS Dhoni’s last game here at Chepauk?’ Mukund asked. “Definitely Not,” said Raina before the broke into laughter.
Earlier in the season, Raina had expressed optimism about Dhoni’s continued participation in the IPL even in 2025, offering a one-word response to a similar inquiry during an analysis session.
Dhoni had previously made the phrase ‘definitely not’ viral at the end of the IPL 2020 season. During the toss at CSK’s final league match that season, Dhoni had emphatically stated that it was not his last game in yellow in the IPL.
Despite considering the victorious final last year as an ideal moment for a farewell, Dhoni opted to prolong his IPL career as a gesture of gratitude towards the fans who have supported him over the years.
Dhoni’s popularity has remained high nationwide, contributing to increased support for the Super Kings even during their away matches. At home, the stands were filled for all seven matches, including the one on Sunday, where fans displayed banners and posters to show their allegiance to CSK and MS Dhoni in large numbers for the final league game of the season.
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