Will MS Dhoni Return for IPL 2025 or Retire? Full Details!

The modern franchise tournaments are not just a field to cultivate the sport but also a breeding ground for one’s business. When it comes to the commercials in popular franchise competitions such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), the stakeholders tend to believe in creating brand awareness revolving around the team they own. In similar terms, the popular IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings is synonymous with the name Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The 43-year-old, who bid adios to the International cricket in 2019 is yet to hang boots from the IPL. The past three seasons, which included an edition where CSK won their fifth IPL title, sparked plenty of speculations revolving around Dhoni’s official retirement. However, the former Indian captain shrugged off such rumors with a smirk, stating “Definitely Not” when enquired about his retirement plans. Does it mean Dhoni will return for IPL 2025? 

Dhoni’s IPL 2024 Performance

Dhoni featured for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024 where the team finished fifth after RCB’s last match victory, which doused their qualification chances. Under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy, he batted lower down the order, eyeing to maximize the runs during the dying phases of the innings. 

He smashed 161 runs from 14 innings at an average of 53.67 and a whooping strike rate of 220.55. The Jharkhand-born clobbered 14 fours and 13 innings as 80.74% of the runs he scored came in boundaries. Although he didn’t score in the fifties, Dhoni played in a specified batting role where he targeted the bowlers in the slog overs phase and catalyzed their innings total. In the field, he donned the gloves behind the stumps and inflicted ten dismissals with caught behind.

Official Statements on IPL 2025

In the past eleven months, Dhoni has been a less talked-about person in cricket. But whenever the topic arose, it involved conversations revolving around the IPL and his retirement plans, taking social media by a storm. While it’s quite a natural doubt for a person attached emotionally to the sport, there have been seldom occasions where hints have been made on Dhoni’s availability in 2025. 

After a prolonged silence following Chennai Super Kings’ group stage exit in IPL 2024, the owner of the side, Kashi Vishwanathan hinted about his availability ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2025. To an inquiry on Dhoni’s availability for IPL 2025, Vishwanathan responded, “When he (MS Dhoni) is ready, what else we want. We are happy”.

Even Dhoni broke his silence a few days back at Garuda Aerospace’s Ascend during the launch of Amaran Drone and Land Mine Detection Drone. He emphasizes his passion for the game and the requisites it demands from a 43-year-old.

"I only play a couple of months in a year, but I want to enjoy it the way I started playing, that's something that keeps me going," Dhoni said at Garuda Aerospace's 'Ascend'. But, of course, for that, I need to put in a lot of hard work for six to eight months because IPL is one of the toughest tournaments. Nobody really cares about how old you are. If you're playing at this level, the level needs to be the same," Dhoni cited. 

Previously, in a social interaction, Dhoni was heard reflecting on his desire to enjoy the last phase of his cricketing career.

“I just wanted to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play. When you play cricket like a professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy it just like a game. That's what I want to do. It's not easy.”

Dhoni’s Future in IPL

During the pre-season camp for IPL 2025, Dhoni was seen wearing a t-shirt expressing a cryptic message on arriving at the Chennai International airport. Surrounded by armed officials, the cameras spotted a Morse code which meant “One Last Time.” 

Although there’s nothing official yet, the former Indian captain is renowned for his surprising takes on his career. However, this could be a possible message for all the cricket enthusiasts and the Chennai Super Kings fans in the IPL that it could be the last time we get to see Dhoni in competitive cricket. 

Since India’s No. 7 has been attached to the Chennai Super Kings franchise right from IPL’s inception, it is likely that he might consider becoming a part of the coaching staff in the years to come. Over the last couple of editions, he passed the leadership torch to Ruturaj Gaikwad, and it shall be apt to see ‘Thala’ don the coaching hat and constitute a part of their support staff.

Fan Expectations & Reactions

‘Thala’ is not just a name but an emotion for the Chennai Super Kings’ fans. He is a widely respected and loved figure in the cricketing realm, not just for the accolades he achieved for India but also for the person he is off the field. Blooming with fans across the peninsular nation, each Indian cricket fan waits to see the arrival of Dhoni in IPL since his retirement in 2019. Like any other year, the buzz in the air for Dhoni’s arrival is pure and the social media outrage speaks volumes about it. 

Dhoni has already created a social media stir after arriving at the Chennai International airport wearing a t-shirt with a cryptic message around his retirement. While his retirement seems around the corner for the past three years, it seems the that inevitable is near. The fans are likely to expect the Jharkhand-bred play as a wicketkeeper who could bat lower down the order and whack the cricket ball during the dying moments of an innings.