The long wait is finally over for fans of MS Dhoni. The iconic Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper and former Indian captain has made his debut in a podcast, offering rare insights into his thoughts, his future, and, most notably, his retirement plans.
The conversation, hosted by entrepreneur and content creator Raj Shamani, was featured on the newly launched Dhoni app and has already sent the cricketing world into a frenzy.
In typical Dhoni fashion, the 43-year-old veteran remained cool and composed when asked the question that has been on everyone’s mind: When will he retire from cricket?
“I won’t be the one deciding,” Dhoni said with his trademark calm. “It’s my body that makes the call. I’ll see how I feel eight to ten months after this IPL season. If I’m fit, I’ll go again.”
Dhoni’s words may have come as a surprise to many, especially after social media was flooded with speculation that this season could be his last.
His parents were spotted in the stands at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and a viral clip showed his wife Sakshi seemingly whispering “last match” to daughter Ziva, prompting emotional farewells from fans at Chepauk.
But Dhoni himself dismissed the farewell theories with a grounded and pragmatic response.
“Yes, I’m 43 now,” he said. “And by the time the next IPL season ends, I’ll be 44. That gives me nearly a year to assess where I stand physically. I’m taking it one year at a time.”
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming echoed that sentiment in a recent press conference. “I don’t even ask him anymore,” he said with a smile. “I’m just enjoying working alongside him.”
While questions about his future persist, Dhoni’s current presence on the field remains as commanding as ever. This season, due to a technical rule change, Dhoni is officially playing as an “uncapped” player — a status granted to those who haven’t represented their national team in the past five years.
But the label is purely on paper. On the field, Dhoni is anything but uncapped.
He continues to be CSK’s tactical mastermind, the emotional core of the franchise, and a figure revered by teammates and fans alike. With his quiet confidence and matchless intuition, he still moves like the heartbeat of the Yellow Brigade.
In the podcast, Dhoni also reflected on his early cricketing journey. He spoke about his modest beginnings in Ranchi, where organized cricket was rare and opportunities were scarce.
“I never imagined I’d play for India,” he recalled. “We played with tennis balls at school. I bowled, kept wickets, and played with seniors. There was no cricket culture in Ranchi, but I kept playing.”
He fondly remembered his father, a disciplinarian who valued punctuality, and the unexpected turns that eventually led him to wear the Indian jersey.
When asked about his legacy and motivations, Dhoni remained humble. “I never played to prove anyone wrong,” he said. “I did what felt right. Whether people noticed or not didn’t matter.”
He also offered a glimpse into his leadership philosophy — one that has made him one of cricket’s most admired captains.
“Leadership is about taking pressure when it’s needed and giving others the freedom to shine. Failure is inevitable, but what matters is how quickly you recover.”
So, will Dhoni return for another IPL season? There’s no official farewell tour, no farewell speech, and certainly no drama. Just a seasoned cricketer who still finds joy in the game, letting instinct — and his body — guide his decisions.
Because if there’s one thing the cricketing world has learned throughout 18 IPL seasons, three ICC trophies, and countless MS Dhoni masterclasses, it’s that with him, it’s never just about crick
