Every IPL season brings fresh speculation about MS Dhoni’s retirement. He stepped away from international cricket in 2020 but continued playing in the IPL. Initially, it was expected he’d play just two more seasons, but since then, he’s appeared in four IPL seasons and lifted the trophy as captain in both 2021 and 2023.
Dhoni’s remarkable leadership and massive fan following have kept him central to CSK, even despite occasional struggles with the bat. In 2024, however, Dhoni showed he could still make valuable contributions as a batter, finishing several matches brilliantly. This sustained impact is why CSK is set to retain him as a player for the 2025 IPL season.
MS Dhoni opens up on IPL future
Dhoni is now 43 years old and, in IPL 2025, he will be the oldest player on the field. He’s the third oldest in IPL history, after Brad Hogg and Pravin Tambe, who played at ages 45 and 44, respectively. Typically, players consider retirement at this age, raising the question of whether Dhoni will bid farewell after the 2025 season. However, in a recent interview with The Times of India, Dhoni hinted that he might continue playing in the IPL for another 2–3 years.
“I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I can play. When you play cricket like a professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy it just like a game. That’s what I want to do. It’s not easy. The emotions keep coming, the commitments are there. I want to enjoy the game for the next few years” said MS Dhoni, as quoted by TOI.
In IPL 2025, Dhoni will be retained by CSK with a price tag of 4 crore. He will be retained as an uncapped player due to a recent BCCI rule that designates players who have not played international cricket in the last five years as uncapped. Dhoni played his last match for India in 2019, making him eligible for retention under this rule. This rule will help CSK to save on their auction purse.
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Although CSK hasn’t officially announced their retention plans, reports suggest they are likely to retain Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain and Ravindra Jadeja. Rachin Ravindra and Matheesha Pathirana are also expected to be retained, along with Dhoni.