Watch: Dhoni’s Touching Lap of Honour Moment with Suresh Raina After Match

The MA Chidambaram Stadium witnessed an emotional moment on Sunday as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) took a lap of honour after their IPL 2024 match against Rajasthan Royals. It marked the last league match of the season for CSK at the iconic venue, stirring sentiments among the fans who turned up in huge numbers.

The atmosphere was charged with nostalgia and appreciation as MS Dhoni, along with his teammates, distributed signed balls to the crowd using tennis racquets. In a touching gesture, Suresh Raina, a former CSK player and a close friend of Dhoni, joined the team during the lap of honor, adding to the emotional fervor of the occasion.

What followed was a moment that exemplified camaraderie and sportsmanship. Dhoni handed the tennis racquet to Raina, who was present at the venue as a commentator for IPL 2024. He entrusted Raina with the task of sending the signed balls into the crowd, symbolizing the bond shared between the players and the fans.

On the field, CSK delivered a thrilling performance, clinching a five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in a low-scoring encounter. This win not only boosted CSK’s playoff hopes but also added another memorable chapter to their journey in IPL 2024.

With this victory, CSK now stands at 14 points from 13 matches, securing the third spot in the points table with a commendable net run rate of +0.528. Their chase of a modest 142 against RR was anchored by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played a composed unbeaten innings of 42 runs.

In the first innings, CSK’s bowler Simarjeet Singh shone bright, contributing to restricting Rajasthan Royals to a moderate total of 141 for five in 20 overs. Singh’s impressive figures of 3 for 26 in his four overs set the tone for CSK’s successful chase.

Among the RR batsmen, Riyan Parag stood out with an unbeaten 47 off 35 balls, but it wasn’t enough to prevent CSK from emerging victorious in this gripping encounter.

As CSK bids adieu to MA Chidambaram Stadium for this season, the lap of honour served as a poignant farewell, encapsulating the spirit of cricket and the bond between players and fans that make IPL a truly special spectacle.