In a battle for the final IPL 2024 playoffs spot, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) went down against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday (May 18).

Speculation over MS Dhoni's retirement is rife after CSK's elimination from the cash-rich league. While the 42-year-old has kept his cards close to heart, many experts believe that the veteran wicketkeeper has already played his last IPL game.

Amidst all this, Dhoni is reportedly planning a visit to London for treatment of a muscle tear injury and will take a call on his future course of action post-recovery.

“Dhoni might head to London for his muscle tear surgery which saw him struggling during the IPL. He is not fully fit but wants to continue to play cricket and he will only decide about his future after treatment which will take him five to six months to recover,” a CSK source told news agency IANS.

Despite battling with calf injury, MS Dhoni’s performance this season was impressive. He managed to aggregate 161 runs at an average of 53.66 and a staggering strike rate of 220.54 across 11 innings.

In the last league match, CSK had to avoid an 18-run defeat against RCB but the defending champions ended up losing the match by 27 runs.

Dhoni fought hard in the death overs and returned with a cameo of 13-ball 25 but he failed to take his team over the line.

On the eve of the IPL 2024 opener, Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain, handing over the leadership baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Under Gaikwad’s captaincy, the defending champions finished the season with 14 points but an inferior run-rate meant that they missed out on the playoffs spot.

(With IANS Inputs)