MS Dhoni, at 44, Reportedly Will Play in IPL 2025 for Chennai Super Kings

N. Srinivasan will serve in an advisory role within CSK, while staying connected with the team's operations as well as the players including MS Dhoni.

MS Dhoni, at 44, Reportedly Will Play in IPL 2025 for Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni may turn up to play for CSK in the 2026 IPL season. (via Mint)

Former Indian captain and Chennai Super Kings icon MS Dhoni is reportedly all set to participate in the upcoming edition of the IPL in 2026, despite having turned 44 years old. Dhoni, in the fag end of his career, could be motivated to play following N. Srinivasan’s return to the helm at CSK.

Former ICC Chairman N. Srinivasan has made an unexpected return to cricket administration, recently taking over the role of chairman at CSK. He is, in fact, the owner and managing director of India Cements, which owns CSK. The 80-year-old’s return to the helm comes as a major boost to the franchise, which has struggled over the past few years, even failing to make into the playoffs in the last two editions. 

The former BCCI chief’s return not only comes at a pivotal juncture for CSK, but also for the other teams associated with the Super Kings, outside India. CSK has two affiliated foreign franchises, Johannesburg Super Kings in SA20 and Texas Super Kings in MLC. The franchise is now aiming for a strong comeback, and Srinivasan’s presence is anticipated to provide a significant lift to all the players.

MS Dhoni is expected to be the most delighted following Srinivasan’s return. The two share a good bond, and it is being speculated that CSK chairman might convince the 44-year-old to extend his stay with the franchise for another season. It was initially rumored that Dhoni would end his IPL career ahead of the 2026 season, as he had hinted that he would make a decision about his future by December, based on his fitness and preparedness.

MS Dhoni has struggled with knee issues over the past few years, even revealing that he is not as fit as he was before. However, Dhoni now appears set to embark on his 19th IPL campaign. Reports suggest that he aims to win his sixth title before retiring. It is unlikely that he would captain the team next summer, after having temporarily taken on the role last season following Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s season-ending injury.

Chennai Super Kings’ tenth-place finish last season, their worst-ever, seems to have motivated MS Dhoni to continue for another season, and strive to finish strong. While the former India keeper has not commented on these recent speculations, he is currently on a vacation in the United States.

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Irfan Pathan Breaks Silence After Old Interview of Him Making ‘Hookah’ Jibe at MS Dhoni Remerges 

Ex-India all-rounder Irfan Pathan spoke out for the first time on the controversy that has emerged, after an old clip of his interview with SportsTak went viral on social media. Pathan slammed the ‘fan’ groups and the ‘PR lobby’ for sharing the old video, where he had accused MS Dhoni of ‘partiality’. 

Irfan Pathan on MS Dhoni 'controversy'
Irfan Pathan opened up on the resurfaced video of his claims about MS Dhoni asking players to prepare hookah for him. (via Hindustan Times)

The left-handed bowling all-rounder has previously suggested that Dhoni was responsible for the abrupt end of his international career in 2012. In the resurfaced interview, Pathan had shockingly claimed that the players who prepared hookah for MS Dhoni got more opportunities. He further alleged that because he never complied with Dhoni’s demands, he was kept out of the squad.

Fans have been left in splits over the accusations made against the former India captain. While many slammed MS Dhoni for his actions, others trolled Pathan for making unfair allegations on the 2011 World Cup-winning captain. In response, Pathan recently claimed that the five-year-old video was intentionally shared by a ‘PR lobby’ that also twisted his statements, and accused them of trying to create tension.

Following Irfan Pathan’s response, another clip has now been doing the rounds on social media, where the 40-year-old candidly talked about his first friends in the Indian cricket team. Pathan had named MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa as his three good friends within the squad.

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