MS Dhoni Informs Retirement Plans For IPL 2026 To CSK

Just like the end of the last few seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the question has grown over the retirement plans of the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, MS Dhoni, before the 2026 season.

But the speculation can wait for another 12 months, as the reports, quoted by the CSK insiders, have revealed that the former Indian captain won’t hang up his boots after a struggling 2025 for the five-time champions.

MS Dhoni to continue playing for CSK in IPL 2026

Chennai’s performance this year has been poor in both the batting and bowling department. From their opening partnership, the Indian ore in the middle order to the bowling department, nothing has worked in their favor in the event.

There has been a lot of noise around MS Dhoni’s utility on the side, but no one from the franchise has gotten any retirement news from the former captain, and that could be an indication of the veteran stretching himself for another season to recover their performance.

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In the previous press conference, after their two-wicket victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, the 43-year-old touched on his retirement plans from the league.

“The fans don't know when it will be my last year, it is a fact I play only 2 months a year. This IPL gets over, then I have to work for the next 6-8 months to see if my body is able to take this kind of pressure. So, Nothing to decide as of now, but the love and affection I get everywhere is excellent.” MS Dhoni expressed in the presentation ceremony.

MS Dhoni’s performance in IPL 2025

Chennai has been average in many departments of the game and in Dhoni’s retirement, they will have to deal with so many things at that stage. They will have to settle down with the young core, including the Indian and overseas players and the presence of the Ranchi-born will be crucial for the guidance.

With the bat, the right-handed batter has smashed 180 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 140.62, including the best score of an unbeaten 30 runs. When they were far from the chase against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekhana Stadium, Dhoni’s knock guided them to victory.

Even against Kolkata, when they kept losing wickets regularly, his presence in the middle made it a little easier for Shivam Dube to handle the situation under pressure.

In Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, MS Dhoni walked forward to shoulder the responsibility of the team in a crisis situation. However, he has also explained how they would start preparation for the new edition in a practical mode.

CSK struggles at the bottom of the points table

Chennai is currently at the bottom of the points table with three victories in 12 group-stage encounters at a net run rate of -0.992. They began the journey with a victory over the Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

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Meanwhile, they faced five successive defeats since then before earning a win over the Lucknow Super Giants after nearly three weeks. Again, they got into the cycle of four defeats before the win over KKR.

Some of their replacements have been crazy, and MS Dhoni can work with them in the future. Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, and others have been fantastic in various parts.

Their next fixture after the restart of the IPL 2025 will be against the Rajasthan Royals on May 20 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.