Virat Kohli’s Heartfelt Gesture for Dhoni at Chinnaswamy; IPL Broadcaster’s Emotional Question Stirs Fans

Chennai Super Kings’ rough ride in IPL 2025 hit another low on Saturday as they suffered their ninth defeat of the season, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by just two runs. RCB celebrated a rare double over the five-time champions — a first in IPL history while CSK’s latest loss at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium cemented their spot at the bottom of the table, getting them out of the playoff race.

However, it was an emotional moment after the match that stole the spotlight, beyond the results and the tally table.

Virat Kohli shared a warm hug with MS Dhoni, as players meet for the customary post-match handshakes. Greeting the CSK captain, Kohli took off his cap, showing deep sign of respect. It was a quiet yet powerful gesture that immediately sent fans into an emotional tailspin.

Star Sports, the official broadcaster, shared a picture of that handshake with the caption: “One last time?” It was enough to stir speculation that this could be Dhoni’s final IPL season.

True to form, Dhoni hasn’t made any official announcement. In a previous match, when commentator Danny Morrison tried to probe him with, “Are you coming back next year?”, Dhoni just smiled and said, “I don’t know, I don’t know if I am coming for the next game.”

Last month, in a podcast chat, Dhoni had said he would take a call on his future after a few months. “I’m 43, and by July I’ll be 44,” he said. “I take it one year at a time. It’s not me who decides — it’s the body that tells you whether you can or not.”

Whether or not this truly is Dhoni’s final season, one thing is clear: the love and respect he commands — not just from fans but from fellow legends like Kohli — is unmatched. If this was the last time we saw Dhoni in yellow at Chinnaswamy, it ended in the most fitting way possible — with a heartfelt salute from a teammate-turned-rival-turned-brother.