The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai witnessed a significant occasion today as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) played against the Delhi Capitals (DC) in an IPL 2025 encounter. The presence of Pan Singh and Devika Devi, the parents of legendary CSK icon MS Dhoni, added gravitas to the Saturday afternoon game. Social media has been flooded with reactions fueled by speculation that the CSK vs DC match might be MS Dhoni’s last, a sentiment amplified by the rare sighting of his parents attending the game.

This is the first time that Dhoni’s parents had visited the Chepauk to watch an IPL match since their son’s enduring association with the franchise commenced in 2008. Their arrival underscored the strong familial ties and the profound connection Dhoni shares with the city and its passionate supporters. Adding to the family presence in the stands were Dhoni’s wife, Sakshi, and their daughter, Ziva, both familiar faces at CSK home games.

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Speculation of Dhoni back to captaincy

There had been a buzz surrounding the possibility of Dhoni stepping back into the captaincy role. This speculation arose following a blow sustained by regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to his elbow during the previous match against the Rajasthan Royals. However, Gaikwad’s confident stride to the center for the toss, declaring his elbow “good” and his eagerness to play, quickly dispelled any such nostalgic notions.

With Gaikwad fit to lead, Dhoni resumed his customary role as wicketkeeper, leaving fans eagerly waiting to see when, and where, the veteran would make his presence felt with the bat during CSK’s chase.

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Batting position of MS Dhoni

The 43-year-old Dhoni’s batting position has been a subject of considerable discussion lately, particularly following his appearance at No. 9 in the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru – a move that drew mixed reactions from fans and analysts. CSK coach Stephen Fleming addressed this, stating that the decision regarding Dhoni’s batting slot is ultimately his to make.

“It’s a time thing – MS judges it. His knees aren’t what they used to be. He’s moving OK, but there’s still an attrition aspect to it. He can’t bat 10 overs running full stick, so he will gauge on the day what he can give us,” Fleming explained. “If the game’s in the balance, he will go a little bit earlier, and he backs other players when other opportunities are up. It’s about balancing that.”

As for the teams’ standings, Delhi Capitals entered the match in a strong position, holding the second spot on the points table with two wins from their initial two games. In contrast, the five-time champions CSK were looking to improve their standing from eighth place, having secured only one victory so far this season – a triumph against their arch-rivals, the Mumbai Indians.

The rare presence of Dhoni’s parents at Chepauk injected an undeniable emotional layer into the contest, serving as a poignant reminder of the player’s long and storied career with the Chennai Super Kings and the deep affection he commands within the cricketing fraternity.

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(With PTI Inputs)