During CSK's final home game, Dhoni signs Gavaskar's shirt in an unprecedented gesture and does a ceremonial lap of honour.

Sunil Gavaskar mirrored the sentiment of millions of fans as MS Dhoni marshalled his forces for the final time at the Chepauk in the 16th Indian Premier League: "Players like him come once in a century, not even once in a generation (IPL). As previous champions CSK faced fierce rivals Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the IPL 2023, former India captain MS Dhoni, a leader, great tactician, and true legend of the game, had an emotional outing.

After KKR's stunning victory over CSK in the IPL 2023 at Chepauk, Dhoni, who many believe is playing his final season in domestic cricket's grandest spectacle, was hailed by throngs of cricket fans. Gavaskar, a legendary batsman, raced up to Dhoni for a special autograph as a crowded Chepauk went wild. In response to the batting legend's request, Dhoni made an amazing gesture as the flamboyant commander of the Yellow Brigade signed Gavaskar's jersey following the game. Dhoni, who goes by the nickname Thala, broke the internet with a gesture that quickly gained attention.

Dhoni was spotted using a racquet to throw some balls into the crowd at the Chepauk to thank the home audience. Thala was the centre of attention before and even after CSK's final home game in the IPL 2023, doing everything from tossing jerseys to shaking hands with policemen at the Chepauk. The Nitish Rana-led KKR upstaged the four-time champions in their own backyard, prompting Dhoni's CSK to conduct a ceremonial lap of honour at the Chepauk.

In their final home game of the season, CSK batted first and produced 144-6 in 20, with Dhoni remaining unbeaten on 2 off 3 balls alongside on-song Shivam Dube (48). The half-centuries of Rana (57*) and Rinku Singh (54) helped KKR defeat CSK at the Chepauk for the first time in ten years.