MS Dhoni, who stepped in as captain for most of the 2025 season following Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, addressed his future with CSK during a recent event.
MS Dhoni Confirms Lifelong Bond with CSK, Hints at Continued Role Beyond Playing Career
After months of silence regarding his future with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni has finally addressed the speculation, reaffirming his long-term association with the IPL franchise. Speaking at a private event earlier this week, the legendary former captain hinted that while his playing days may be numbered, his connection with CSK is far from over.
“Me and CSK, we are together. You know even for the next 15-20 years,” Dhoni said with a smile, drawing loud cheers from the audience. “I hope they don’t think I’ll be playing for another 15-20 years! But yeah,” he added, clearly suggesting that he envisions a continued off-field role with the franchise.
There had been widespread speculation that the 44-year-old would retire after IPL 2024. However, Dhoni made a strong return from a knee injury and even reclaimed the captaincy midway through IPL 2025 after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with an elbow issue. Despite his leadership, CSK endured a tough campaign, finishing at the bottom of the table with just four wins in 14 matches.
Reflecting on the season and CSK’s future, MS Dhoni remained optimistic. “It’s not about one year or two years. I will always be sitting in a yellow jersey,” he said. “Whether I’ll be playing or not in a while—you know yourself,” he added, teasing fans once again.
In a rare candid moment, MS Dhoni also acknowledged the team’s recent struggles. “Yes, the last couple of years have not been good for us. We have not been up to the mark. But what is important is to see the learnings. Yes, you had a bad season. But what went wrong? And that was the question for us last year also,” he concluded.
Gaikwad will be back
The former India captain MS Dhoni has acknowledged Chennai Super Kings’ batting struggles during the 2025 IPL season but remains optimistic about the team’s future. He expressed confidence that Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return from injury will help restore balance to the side.
“Rutu will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now,” Dhoni said at a recent event. He also highlighted the upcoming December mini-auction as an opportunity to address any remaining gaps in the squad.
In a heartfelt reflection, Dhoni once again credited CSK and the city of Chennai for playing a pivotal role in his journey, both on and off the field. “So, I feel the relationship over the years has grown. It helped me improve as a person. It helped me improve as a cricketer. CSK just happened. I think it’s good for Chennai. So, today it’s good for me also,” he said, underscoring the deep bond he shares with the franchise and its fans.