MS Dhoni, the captain cool will once again be seen donning the yellow jersey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The former India and Chennai Super Kings captain has confirmed his availability in the upcoming IPL season. This news has given immense joy to CSK fans as well as the entire world cricket; MS Dhoni is still a force to reckon with which makes IPL a spectacle.
CSK owners and coaching staff most likely will retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player becuase played his last International match way back in 2019 and announced his retirement in 2020. BCCI have brought back the uncapped player rule for retired players due to which MS Dhoni may be retained for 4 Crores which gives them more options to retain the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Deepak Chahar and other promising cricketers.
CSK erupts in joy
Wasting no time, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan made the news official on Saturday, October 26, “When he is ready, what else (do) we want. We are happy,” as quoted by Cricbuzz. The official announcement comes a day after MS Dhoni had almost confirmed his participation when he expressed his desire to enjoy cricket for the “next few years.”
MS Dhoni Set to Continue Playing for More Years
While interacting at a promotional event for the software brand Rigi, the 43-year-old said, “I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play,” Dhoni was quoted as saying to TOI.
“The emotions keep coming, the commitments are there. I want to enjoy the game for the next few years. I have to keep myself fit for nine months, so that I can play two and a half months of IPL. You need to plan it out, but at the same time chill a bit,”
CSK’s Likely Retentions for IPL 2025
Speaking to Star Sports, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh said, “In my view, the likely retentions are Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Matheesha Pathirana.”
Pathirana made his IPL debut for CSK in 2022 and played a significant role in their fifth IPL title win in 2023. During that season, he took 19 wickets in 12 matches, becoming the third-highest wicket-taker for CSK. After missing half of last season due to a hamstring injury, he must be hoping to don the yellow jersey in IPL 2025.
It is a given that Jadeja will be their No. 1 retention, followed by the captain Gaikwad. Pathirana has most likely agreed to be the third retention. With Sameer Rizvi being an uncapped player, between Shivam Dube and Devon Conway, one should be retained.
By October 31, it will be clear whether CSK retains four or five or six players. After securing a fifth IPL title in 2023, Dhoni handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad last year. Although CSK did not qualify for the playoffs last season under Gaikwad’s leadership, Dhoni made a strong contribution with the bat, scoring 161 runs from 73 balls at a strike rate of 220.55.
Also Read: IPL 2025 : Ravichandran Ashwin Gives IPL Retention Mantra On MS Dhoni For CSK Ahead Of Mega Auction