There’s been a lot of talk about whether IPL 2025 will be MS Dhoni’s last season. The speculation started when the 43-year-old was seen in Chennai last month wearing a T-shirt that had “One Last Time” written in Morse code. Fans quickly noticed it, and social media was flooded with retirement rumors. However, Dhoni has finally cleared the air ahead of Chennai Super Kings’ opening match against Mumbai Indians on Sunday. He said that neither he nor the franchise is ready to say goodbye just yet.
While talking to Jio Hotstar before the ‘El Clasico’ match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Dhoni said that he could keep playing for Chennai for as long as he wants. He even joked that if he ever got injured and ended up in a wheelchair, CSK would still try to convince him to play another season.
“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,” he said.
Dhoni battled a knee injury during the 2023 IPL season, after which he underwent surgery at the end of the season. He took the remainder of the year to recover before returning for the 17th edition of the IPL, where he relinquished his captaincy role and his batting position. Preferring No. 8 or below in the line-up, Dhoni smashed 161 runs in 73 balls across the season at a strike rate of 220.
Dhoni is close to making history
In Chennai’s opening game of the season, MS Dhoni has a chance to create history. The 43-year-old is just 19 runs away from becoming Chennai’s highest run-scorer in the IPL. Suresh Raina currently holds the record with 4687 runs.
On the bowling front, Ravindra Jadeja is also close to a big milestone. He needs just eight more wickets to become Chennai’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the IPL, a record currently held by Dwayne Bravo with 140 wickets.
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