MS Dhoni will continue his IPL journey with Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 season after being retained by the franchise, alongside key players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja.
New Delhi: Despite widespread speculation that the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season would be MS Dhoni’s last, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon is set to continue his remarkable journey. Dhoni, who will play his 18th IPL season, has been included in CSK’s list of retained players.
MS Dhoni is one of five players retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana. The 43-year-old veteran has taken a significant pay cut, set to earn just Rs. 4 crore for the 2025 season. Interestingly, CSK has retained Dhoni as an “uncapped player.” This move is in line with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) reinstated rule that permits teams to retain players under the “uncapped” category if they haven’t represented India for more than five years.
CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan has given a significant clue about MS Dhoni’s retirement plans, revealing that the former India captain aims to play his final game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Dhoni had expressed this wish during an event in 2021, marking CSK’s title win.
“As far as Mahi bhai (brother) is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself. It comes out at the last moment only. Knowing the passion he has for CSK, and also knowing the following he has, and he also mentioned in one of the interviews that he’ll play his last game in Chennai, we’re hoping that he will continue as far as CSK is concerned. As long as MS wants to play, the doors are open. Knowing him, his commitment, and his dedication, I’m sure he’ll always take the right decision,” said Viswanathan in a chat with Ambati Rayudu on Provoke TV.
MS Dhoni has been a key figure in the Chennai Super Kings camp since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, leading the team until the 2023 campaign. Before the start of the 2024 season, he handed over the leadership duties to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni also played for the Rising Pune SuperGiants during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.