MS Dhoni’s future with Chennai Super Kings remains one of the most talked about uncertainties in Indian cricket. Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, the former Indian captain has continued to feature in the IPL, even stepping in as CSK’s leader last season after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury ruled him out. Yet, as the years go by, questions about how long he will keep playing grow louder among fans.
Having turned 44 last month, Dhoni has not yet made up his mind about returning for the 2026 edition of the tournament. His public comments on the matter often fuel speculation rather than settling it. Speaking at a recent event, he said that he still had time to make the decision, indicating he would wait until December before choosing, but acknowledged that his persistent knee trouble has been increasingly bothersome. When an audience member urged him to keep playing, Dhoni responded with characteristic humour, pointing out that the pain in his knees is not something to be ignored easily.
Here is the video:
https://x.com/itzyash07/status/1954530083416473734
Click to watch this video directly on X
The knee issue is not new. After captaining CSK to their 2023 title, Dhoni underwent surgery, having postponed treatment in order to play the season through discomfort. The delay was aimed at ensuring he could recover in time for the IPL 2024.
CSK’s performance over recent seasons has been mixed. They have lifted the trophy twice in the last five years but failed to make it to the playoffs in the other three. Reflecting on the lean years, Dhoni admitted the team had fallen short of its standards but emphasised the need to learn from those setbacks. In his view, the important question after a disappointing season is identifying what went wrong and addressing it in the future.
For now, Dhoni’s next move remains a mystery, one that CSK fans will watch closely in the months leading up to December. Whether the captain who has defined the franchise chooses to lead again or finally steps away could shape the team’s direction for years to come.
