IPL 2025: MS Dhoni opens up about retirement plans

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni feels that he is yet to decide on his IPL future after working hard for 6-8 months and see if his body can cope with the requirements of the game.

“There is no escaping the fact (that I am in the last phase of my career). After this IPL gets over, I have to work hard for another 6-8 months to see if my body can take this pressure. Nothing to decide now, but the love and affection I have seen is excellent,” said MS Dhoni after securing a victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 match at the Eden Gardens.

Now it has become a known fact that Dhoni attracts a huge crowd during CSK`s matches, irrespective of the venue. Speaking about his fans, the 43-year-old said, “That is the love and affection I have gotten throughout. Not to forget I am 42 (43). I have played a long time. A lot of them don`t know when it is going to be my last time, so they want to come and see me play”.

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The victory against KKR also marked Chennai`s third win of the IPL 2025. In the ongoing season, they have already suffered nine defeats out of the 12 matches.

Further, the stand-in captain highlighted that hardly any Chennai batsmen were scoring when the IPL 2025 campaign started.

“There were a few things that did not go our way. You could get emotional about it, talk about the pride factor but you have to be practical about it”.

“Just concentrating about where the 25 players could fit. Want to be competitive but you also want answers – which batter can fit where, which bowler can bowl where, according to the conditions and all. When we started, hardly anyone was scoring”.

“We are out of the tournament, so you give them a chance, see how they react. It is the approach, the mental toughness that you want to check. The most technically-correct batter does not always score the runs, if you have good awareness there is a chance to be consistent.”

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will now lock horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their upcoming IPL 2025 encounter. Later, the side will conclude with their group stage matches with a game against Gujarat Titans (GT).

(With PTI Inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day