MS Dhoni, CSK: In the coming days the picture will be clear whether the Indian team and former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni will play in the new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) or not. Dhoni, who is 43 years old, had made it clear last season that he would decide whether he would play in the new season or not before the IPL Mega Auction to be held this year.
Now all the franchises have to announce their retained players by October 31 from the IPL Maga Auction. all the franchises have to submit the list of retained players by 31 October. It is believed that CSK will retain Dhoni as an uncapped player this year, which will clear the way for him to continue joining the team. It is known that Dhoni had stepped down from the captaincy of CSK before IPL 2024 and handed over the command of the team to Ruturaj Gaikwad, which led to speculation about his future.
“I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I’m able to play,” Dhoni said at a promotional event in Goa. “Like how during our childhood we used to go out and play at 4 pm, just enjoying the game. But when you play professional sport it becomes difficult to enjoy the game just like a game. So what I want to do is, there are emotions and commitments, but I want to enjoy the game for the next few years.”
He added, “What is important is to realise the strength of your team and according to the strength of the team you decide which is the way you want to play cricket but it takes time.”
“last year specifically, the T20 World Cup squad was going to be announced soon. So we have to give people who are fighting for a spot a chance. In our team CSK, we had a few, Ravindra Jadeja was there, Shivam Dube was there so you give them an opportunity to prove themselves to get into the Indian team. There was nothing in it for me, no selection and other things. So I’m good playing down the order and my team was happy with what I was doing.”