File image of MS Dhoni.© BCCI/IPL
Legendary India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has dropped a massive hint that he will continue to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025 and beyond. MS Dhoni, 43, has possibly put to bed all rumours about his future, as he spoke about keeping himself in the best possible shape to play cricket for the "next few years". Going by his words, Dhoni seems to be in CSK's plans not just for IPL 2025, but potentially the entire three-year cycle after the mega auction.
"I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play," said Dhoni in a promotional event for software brand Rigi, for whom he's a brand ambassador, as quoted by Times of India.
"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 Dhoni.
Dhoni's next words made it even more clear that the IPL is certainly in his mind.
"I have to keep myself fit for nine months, so that I can play two and a half months of IPL. You need to plan it out, but at the same time chill a bit," Dhoni said.
Dhoni handed over CSK's captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024. However, being a five-time IPL-winning captain and still arguably the tournament's biggest name, him continuing will be good news for the IPL.
With his last appearance for Team India being more than five years ago, Dhoni can be retained as an uncapped player by CSK, at a price of only Rs 4 crore. This was made possible thanks to the revival of a rule that had previously been removed in 2021.