MS Dhoni’s Future in Doubt as Retirement Talks Resurface After IPL 2025 Match

The debate over MS Dhoni’s retirement has reignited following his unusual batting position at number nine in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025.

The 43-year-old, now playing as an uncapped player, continues to be a vital part of CSK despite mounting speculation about his future in the sport.

A recent viral video from Guwahati has fueled discussions about his possible farewell, though there is no official confirmation.

No Official Statement on Retirement

Despite years of speculation about his retirement, MS Dhoni remains an active player in the current IPL season.

While fans and analysts have raised questions following CSK’s recent match against Rajasthan Royals, much of the talk seems to be driven by April Fool’s Day pranks rather than concrete evidence. Dhoni himself has not made any statement about retiring.

In February 2025, Dhoni hinted that he still enjoys the game and intends to continue playing for a few more years.

“I want to enjoy the game like I did in my early days,” he had stated, emphasizing his commitment to franchise cricket even after retiring from international cricket in 2019.

CSK’s Retention of Dhoni

CSK retained Dhoni for IPL 2025 at Rs 4 crore, significantly lower than his previous Rs 12 crore salary.

However, his presence remains crucial, particularly as a mentor for young players. While some speculate this might be his final season, no official decision has been made public.

Sunil Gavaskar on Dhoni’s Future

Former cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar dismissed retirement speculations, stating that age is just a number for Dhoni. He highlighted that Dhoni continues to hit sixes effortlessly, proving that he still has plenty to contribute.

Gavaskar’s comments further solidified the belief that the former CSK captain is far from finished.

Viral Video Sparks Retirement Talks

A video from CSK’s match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati sparked rumors of a farewell. However, no evidence suggests that it was linked to a retirement ceremony.

Before the match at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Dhoni was presented with the ‘IPL 18 Memento’ by BCCI’s newly appointed secretary, Devajit Saikia. This fueled speculation, though it was merely an honorary recognition rather than a retirement announcement.

Fan Reactions and Online Speculation

Fans took to social media to express their views on Dhoni’s future. One user remarked, “Dhoni coming at no 9 is the lowest point in his career. He should retire gracefully rather than face this embarrassment.”

Another user speculated, “Dhoni is still in IPL because he is a crowd puller, and organizers want to maximize revenue by leveraging his brand.”

Some fans believe that Dhoni’s reluctance to bat higher in the order indicates a loss of confidence.

“Maybe he has lost touch. He should have promoted himself up the order to absorb the pressure. This is truly a low point in MSD’s career,” one fan commented.

Former Teammates Weigh In

Former CSK teammate Shane Watson also shared his perspective, suggesting that Dhoni should bat higher in the order. Watson argued that Dhoni still possesses the skill and ability to contribute significantly if given more deliveries to face.

“Over the last couple of years, he has consistently shown that he’s still batting beautifully. I truly believe he should be promoted up the order so we can see the full extent of his skills,” Watson said.

April Fool’s Day Pranks Fuel Misinformation

Adding to the confusion, social media was flooded with misleading posts about Dhoni’s retirement.

A post on X (formerly Twitter) with a screengrab of an alleged retirement announcement went viral, leading many fans to believe he had called time on his career. However, these posts turned out to be part of an April Fool’s prank.

A widely circulated tweet read, “MS Dhoni is broken inside and now he takes retirement from IPL,” accompanied by a heartbroken emoji and a picture of the CSK legend. Many fans fell for the hoax before realizing it was a joke.

CSK’s Upcoming Matches

Despite all the speculation, MS Dhoni remains an active player in IPL 2025, and there has been no official word on his retirement. His next match for CSK is scheduled against the Delhi Capitals at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on April 5 (Saturday).

Until Dhoni himself makes an announcement, his future remains uncertain, but for now, he continues to be an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings setup.