The question of MS Dhoni’s return to the Indian Premier League has become an annual ritual — one that the Chennai Super Kings icon must surely be weary of answering. For several seasons now, the legendary captain and wicketkeeper-batter has defied speculation about his retirement, continuing to turn up in the yellow jersey to lead his beloved franchise. However, the signs are becoming increasingly clear that Dhoni’s glittering cricket career may soon be drawing to a close.
This ongoing uncertainty has gained renewed attention in light of CSK’s underwhelming performance in the IPL 2025. For the second consecutive season, the five times champions failed to reach the playoffs, a stark contrast to their triumphant 2023 campaign, when Dhoni led them to victory in a dramatic final against Gujarat Titans.
Ahead of the 2025 season, CSK officially transitioned into a new phase by naming Ruturaj Gaikwad as Dhoni’s successor. The leadership shift was meant to mark a new era for the franchise, with Dhoni stepping aside after guiding CSK to multiple titles. However, the plan was disrupted midway through the tournament when Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an elbow injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Dhoni had to resume captaincy duties under less-than-ideal circumstances.
Despite starting the season with a promising win over Mumbai Indians, the team struggled to maintain momentum. Even with Dhoni at the helm again, the Super Kings couldn’t recover from their dip in form.
Adding to the chorus of voices calling for closure, former Indian pacer Joginder Sharma has publicly advised Dhoni to consider retirement. He acknowledged that while Dhoni’s determination remains intact, the physical demands of top-level cricket are no longer easy to bear. Joginder, who played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup win in 2007 by bowling the nerve-wracking final over against Pakistan, emphasised that Dhoni should now prioritise rest and recovery.
Earlier this season, Dhoni himself acknowledged the toll IPL preparations take on his body. Having retired from international cricket in 2020, the IPL remains the only tournament he participates in, and he hinted that continuing for another season might require an intense six-to-eight-month effort just to get fit. He noted that while nothing has been decided yet, the physical challenge is growing and the affection from fans remains his biggest motivation.
As the season winds down and fans wonder if they’ve seen the last of Dhoni in competitive cricket, one thing is clear — the legacy of MS Dhoni is already etched in stone, regardless of whether he takes the field again.
