Whether Saturday's game in Bengaluru was Mahendra Singh Dhoni's IPL swansong is something only the former India and Chennai Super Kings captain will be able to say.
Dhoni's former CSK teammates Matthew Hayden and Ambati Rayudu, however, are not on the same page about whether the loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru was his final IPL appearance or if he will be back next year.
"I think this is it,"Hayden told Star Sports. "I do believe that this was the last time Dhoni played."
The former Australia opener, however, believes Dhoni will continue to be present at the CSK dugout in "an official capacity." "I'd be very surprised if he doesn't mentor or be a part of the CSK family in an official capacity,” Hayden said.
Rayudu, though, believes Dhoni wouldn't want to end on such a note. "I just don't see him wanting to end on this note. That’s very unlike MS Dhoni. He just wanted to finish on a high.
"... You never know with MS Dhoni. He might come back next year. And with the impact player role, it gives him the opportunity to come in those last few overs and make that impact."
