On Tuesday, May 20, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fell short against Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Sanjay Bangar asked MS Dhoni to end his storied Indian Premier League (IPL) career.

Against the first-ever champions, the Men in Yellow lost their tenth game of the season after failing to defend a 188-run target. In the latter stages of the CSK innings, Dhoni recorded an odd knock of 16 off 17 balls while only striking one six off the bowling of Riyan Parag. The renowned cricket player has never been a member of an IPL side that finished last in the standings. After Tuesday’s loss, though, it would take a miracle for CSK to escape the wooden spoon.

IPL 2025 has seen MS Dhoni struggling to reach his full potential.

Last season, the 43-year-old enthralled fans with his ability to hit sixes from the opening ball. But in the current edition, he has only amassed 196 runs at a strike rate of 135.18 and an average of 24.50 from 13 innings.

If I were MS, I would say that’s sufficient, but it all comes down to that. I’ve played whatever I wanted to play and taken care of the franchise’s interest if that was the driving force, but you know, you move on. The Bangar.

The 43-year-old shouldn’t worry about the Super Kings’ transition, Bangar added, because it will happen naturally.

There is never a perfect moment, so if you’re there and believe the changeover will happen quickly, you’re mistaken. Therefore, you might as well accept that the franchise will grow on its own even if I leave now. I won’t stay there for the full cycle, even if it takes a year longer,” the former India batting coach said.

With six wickets remaining, RR chased the score in 17.1 overs. On Sunday, May 25, CSK will play the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to wrap out their campaign.