Sanjay Bangar urges MS Dhoni to retire from IPL after dissapointing loss against RR

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has called for the legendary MS Dhoni to consider retiring from the Indian Premier League (IPL) following Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) disheartening defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 20. The match, played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, saw CSK suffer their 10th loss of the 2025 season, all but confirming their place at the bottom of the points table - a first in the franchise's storied history.

Chasing a target of 189, Rajasthan Royals cruised to victory in just 17.1 overs, leaving CSK’s playoff hopes in tatters. Dhoni’s contribution, a sluggish 16 off 17 deliveries with a solitary six, was emblematic of his overall form this season. Once revered for his ability to turn games in the death overs, the 43-year-old has looked a shadow of his former self in IPL 2025, amassing just 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.18.

Speaking on the match and Dhoni’s future, Bangar made an emotional yet pragmatic appeal. “It all boils down to MS, but if I was MS, I would say it's enough. I have played whatever I wanted to play; I have looked after the interest of the franchise as well – if that was the motivation – but you know, you move on,” Bangar said.

The former coach further added that Dhoni’s continued presence might inadvertently delay CSK’s necessary transition phase. “By you being there, if you're thinking that the transition will happen fast, there is never an ideal time. So you might as well have peace with the fact that even if I leave now, the franchise will develop on its own. It may take a year longer, but I am not going to be there for the entire cycle," he emphasized.

Dhoni, who has led CSK to five IPL titles and is widely considered the league’s most successful captain, has long been a pillar of stability for the franchise. His aura, leadership, and game awareness have been pivotal in CSK’s rise as a powerhouse. However, 2025 has been a stark departure from that legacy. Injuries, waning form, and team inconsistency have marred their campaign.

CSK’s upcoming final league match against Gujarat Titans on May 25 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad may now carry extra weight, not just as a potential swansong for Dhoni but as a symbolic end to an era.