[WATCH] IPL 2026: MS Dhoni sits beside ground staff during CSK team photo

Former Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni shared a heartwarming moment with the team and support staff after CSK’s final home game of IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 18. Although Dhoni is yet to feature in a single match this season due to injury concerns, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter once again won fans over with his bonding with the squad.

Following CSK’s five-wicket defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, players gathered on the field for group photographs and a lap of honour to thank the Chepauk crowd for their support throughout the season. As the team and ground staff prepared for a final picture, Dhoni noticed there was no place left for him to stand. Instead of asking others to move, the legendary cricketer quickly ran forward and sat down beside a member of the ground staff, creating a wholesome and widely appreciated moment among fans.

Dhoni has struggled with fitness issues since the beginning of the tournament and has remained unavailable throughout IPL 2026. Under his leadership, CSK lifted five IPL trophies, making him one of the most successful captains in league history. However, this season has been difficult for the franchise, as they remain on the verge of playoff elimination with six wins from 13 matches.

Talking about the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and chose to bat first on a dry Chepauk surface. Sanju Samson provided an explosive start with 27 off 13 balls, while Urvil Patel chipped in with a few big hits before failing to convert his innings. Gaikwad struggled for timing and managed only 15 from 21 deliveries.

The innings was later revived by Kartik Sharma’s quick 32 off 19 balls and an entertaining knock from Dewald Brevis, who smashed 44 runs off just 27 balls to help CSK post 180/7.

In reply, SRH lost Travis Head early, but Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan steadied the innings with a valuable partnership. The game turned in SRH’s favour through a brilliant 75-run stand between Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. Klaasen’s aggressive batting shifted momentum completely before Kishan carried the chase deep into the innings.

Eventually, Smaran Ravichandran struck the winning boundary off Anshul Kamboj on the final ball of the 19th over, sealing a five-wicket win for SRH and confirming a playoff berth for the Gujarat Titans as well.