Will Mahendra Singh Dhoni play next season? Was this his final group league match at the Chepauk? Was the lap of honour a big hint from the Chennai Super Kings captain about his future?

There were several unanswered questions on Dhoni after Sunday’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders which CSK lost by six wickets.

Dhoni had a smile on his face as he went around the ground, acknowledging the fans for their support right through the season.

CSK are expected to return to the Chepauk for the playoffs, though progressionto that stage isn’t guaranteed yet.

The CSK captain was seen holding a tennis racquet in one hand while hitting some balls into the crowd before tossing a few jerseys in that direction.

Even as the spectators went berserk, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar ran up to the two-time World Cup-winning captain for an autograph. Dhoni smilingly obliged on Gavaskar’s shirt.

The Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan, however, hoped that this is not Dhoni’s last season with the franchise.

“We believe MS Dhoni is going to play next season as well,” Viswanathan said in a video posted by CSK.

“I hope fans will continue to support us like every time.”

Since the start of the season, Dhoni has hinted that this might be his last IPL. “All said and done, it’s the last phase of my career,” Dhoni had said after CSK’s win over SRH.

After CSK won at KKR, Dhoni had thanked the Eden crowd for the enormous support. “They are trying to give me a farewell, so thanks a lot to the crowd,” Dhoni had said at the post-match presentation.

However, when asked by Danny Morrison in Lucknow if this was his last season, Dhoni had replied: “You have decided it is my last IPL, not me.”

Perhaps only Dhoni knows if he will be back next season.