Rumors surrounding MS Dhoni’s retirement can finally be put to rest—straight from the legend himself.
Ahead of the highly anticipated IPL 2025 showdown between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, Dhoni made his stance on retirement abundantly clear.
In a conversation with Jio Hotstar, the former CSK skipper quipped, “I can play for as long as I want for CSK. That’s my franchise. Even if I’m in a wheelchair, they’ll drag me.”
At 43, Dhoni remains an irreplaceable figure for Chennai Super Kings, not just for his contributions on the field but also for the aura he brings to the dressing room.
As CSK begins their campaign, Dhoni is on the verge of achieving yet another milestone—he needs just 19 runs to become the highest run-scorer for the franchise in IPL history.
Much like last season, Dhoni is expected to slot into the lower middle order, often coming in at No. 7 or 8. However, his role transcends mere batting contributions—his presence alone elevates the energy and confidence of the squad.
CSK’s new captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who took over leadership duties last season, admitted that Dhoni’s ability continues to amaze everyone.
“A lot of new players have joined the team, and sometimes they struggle to time the ball as well as he does. The way he’s striking the ball right now is inspiring, not just for them but for me as well,” Gaikwad said ahead of the MI clash.
Dhoni’s CSK legacy is unmatched. Under his captaincy, Chennai reached ten IPL finals in 14 seasons, securing five championship titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023). They have also made it to the playoffs in 12 seasons, establishing themselves as one of the most dominant teams in IPL history.
As he gears up for yet another season, one thing is clear—MS Dhoni will walk away on his own terms. For now, ‘Thala’ shows no signs of stopping.
