IPL 2024: Dejected MS Dhoni leaves field without shaking hands with RCB players after CSK's loss

MS Dhoni has seen a lot of ups and downs during his illustrious career but Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 18 in IPL 2024 must have been a bitter pill to swallow for the iconic wicketkeeper-batter.

This was expected to be Dhoni's final season as a professional cricketer and the stalwart would have wanted to finish on a triumphant note. The 42-year-old has been struggling with a knee issue but he played all of Chennai's 14 matches this season through the pain. On Saturday, after CSK's 27-run loss to RCB, it seemed the end of the road for the Men in Yellow in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Also read: Is this MS Dhoni's last match? Will Dhoni announce his retirement after RCB's win over CSK in IPL 2024, Match 68?

In a video uploaded by a fan present at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, a downhearted Dhoni was seen leaving the field, skipping the customary handshakes with the opposition players after the pulsating clash. He did greet the RCB support staff on his way out.

Earlier, Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and invited RCB to bat first. Faf du Plessis led from the front with the bat and scored a 39-ball 54. His fellow opening partner, Virat Kohli, smashed a 29-ball 47 when the pitch wasn't looking easy to bat on. The likes of Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, and Glenn Maxwell played impactful knocks to take the hosts to 218/5 in their 20 overs.

Chennai needed to score 201 to stay above RCB on the points table and book their tickets to the playoffs. Rachin Ravindra scored a majestic 61 off 37 balls, resurrecting the innings after the visitors lost two wickets in the first three overs. Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni played well in the end but couldn't take their side into the playoffs. RCB eventually won the match by 27 runs after restricting CSK to 191/7. Du Plessis and Co. will be in action on Wednesday, May 22, in the Eliminator. Their opponents will be determined on Sunday, May 19, which is the final day of the league stage.