MS Dhoni Dismisses Retirement Rumors Ahead of IPL 2025

The cricketing world buzzed with rumours surrounding MS Dhoni’s retirement during IPL 2025, especially after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday. With Dhoni’s parents in attendance at MA Chidambaram Stadium, fans took to social media to speculate whether this could be the iconic wicketkeeper-batsman’s farewell season. However, Dhoni swiftly put these rumours to rest.

In a candid interview on a podcast, Dhoni, who turned 43 in 2025, confirmed that he’s not considering retirement just yet. He emphasized that he’s taking each year as it comes, with no rush to make a decision. "No, not right now. I am still playing the IPL. I have kept it very simple, I take it one year at a time. I am 43, and by the time IPL 2025 finishes, I’ll be 44. After that, I’ll have 10 months to decide if I want to continue playing or not. But it’s not about me deciding, it’s about what my body tells me. So, one year at a time, we’ll see after that," Dhoni said.

This revelation comes after a string of disappointing performances where Dhoni’s finishing abilities have been questioned. Despite the support and love from fans, Dhoni’s performances have been under scrutiny, especially as his limited batting contributions are often linked to his physical condition.

STEPHEN FLEMING ON DHONI’S FUTURE

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming also addressed the ongoing retirement speculations. When asked about Dhoni’s future in IPL, Fleming expressed that he no longer brings up the topic with the legend. "I have no idea. I’m just enjoying working with him still. He is still going strong. I don’t even ask about his future these days," Fleming remarked after the CSK vs DC match.

DHONI’S LOVE FOR THE GAME

Ahead of IPL 2025, Dhoni had also opened up about his approach to the game. In a heartfelt message, he shared how he still enjoys playing with the same enthusiasm he had as a child. “I’ve retired since 2019, so it will be quite some time. What I’ve been doing in the meantime is just wanting to enjoy cricket for the last, whatever few years I will be able to play,” Dhoni reflected. "I want to play with the same kind of innocence — but it is easier said than done."

CRITICISM AND RETIREMENT DEBATE

Despite the outpouring of support from fans, Dhoni has faced criticism from some quarters, including former India player Manoj Tiwary. Tiwary suggested that Dhoni should have retired after IPL 2023, calling it the ideal moment to bow out. “Pardon me if I sound a bit harsh, but he should have called it a day after IPL 2023 — that was the ideal moment,” Tiwary said during a discussion on Cricbuzz. He added that Dhoni's limited presence on the field in recent seasons, coupled with fading performances, has sparked concern.

Tiwary further criticized Dhoni’s restricted batting role, questioning why Dhoni could field for the entire match but only bat for a limited number of overs. “He is definitely putting in the effort. Even Stephen Fleming admitted Dhoni cannot bat beyond 10 overs. But what I find difficult to understand is this — if you can field for over 20 overs, sprint, crouch, dive for catches, effect runouts — your knee seems fine. But when it comes to contributing with the bat to help the team win, suddenly it’s about limiting to 10 overs,” Tiwary argued.

DHONI’S IMPACT AND LEGACY

Despite the criticism, MS Dhoni remains a central figure for CSK, both on and off the field. His leadership, experience, and ability to inspire his team continue to make him a key player in IPL 2025. As the season progresses, fans will no doubt continue to watch closely, hoping that Dhoni can defy the odds and lead his team to another victory, while also keeping the retirement conversation at bay, at least for now.