'That is my franchise': MS Dhoni speaks about future with CSK in the IPL

MS Dhoni, widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest players, is preparing to play a key role for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The season opener on Sunday is against the Mumbai Indians - another highly successful franchise in IPL history.

Since his retirement from international cricket, speculation about Dhoni's IPL future has been a constant topic of discussion among fans, particularly with each new season announcement.

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"I can play for as long as I want for CSK. That's my franchise. Even if I'm in a wheelchair, they'll drag me," he said in a conversation on JioHotstar before the Mumbai Indians match.



CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has shared insights about Dhoni's continued contribution to the team at age 43. Dhoni is expected to maintain his position in the lower batting order, likely at number 7 or 8.

"A lot of new players have joined the team and sometimes they struggle to strike the ball as good as he is striking it right now. So, definitely it inspires a lot of us including myself," Gaikwad told the media on the eve of CSK's opening IPL match against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians.

"So, whatever he is doing at the age of 43, I think it is remarkable. We have certain strengths that we have been following since the last two years. So, I think nothing much really changes and hopefully he will continue to deliver those crucial knocks for us."



Gaikwad has noted Dhoni's focused approach during practice sessions leading up to the season opener.

"I think his training is very much limited to whatever he tries to achieve or whatever his role would be in the IPL. So, it is pretty much very simple, focused on trying to hit as many as sixes as possible and trying to get the right swing, trying to be in the best shape."

"That is what I think initially he was trying to do and then I never thought he was out of shape. If you see now, even Sachin Tendulkar is batting (in the Master's league) as great as he is right now at the age of 50. So, I think there are still many years to go (for Dhoni)."

'Every time people question MS Dhoni, he proves them wrong'

Ex-India batter and captain Sunil Gavaskar said that whenever people have questioned MS Dhoni, he has silenced those critics with his skills.

"Why should we even ask that question? Why put pressure on him? Every time people question MS Dhoni, he proves them wrong. Don’t doubt his ability. Even at this age, he’s hitting sixes not just past the boundary but into the stands during practice. Age is just a number when it comes to Dhoni," Gavaskar said on JioHotstar.

CSK used their retention clause last year to keep Dhoni for the 2025 season as an uncapped player, given his five-year absence from international cricket.


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