MS Dhoni has confirmed he will decide on his IPL 2027 future before December, tying his potential return to a comprehensive physical fitness assessment.

Speaking at a healthcare event in Bengaluru, the 45-year-old legendary wicketkeeper-batter addressed speculation following his complete absence from the IPL 2026 season due to injuries.

When asked if he would step back onto the field for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dhoni playfully shifted the responsibility to his medical team.

"Doc, I will have to go through the test. You will have to give me the report, and then before December, I will have to see, you know, how strong I am to maybe play one more season. And if I am not, then, you know, you will have to make sure that you do everything right with me and make sure that this old vintage vehicle is running well on the road. So all the pressure is on them," Dhoni replied.

Dhoni sat out the entire IPL 2026 edition due to prolonged fitness issues, chiefly a troublesome calf muscle. Despite not playing, he remained embedded with the CSK squad to provide dugout mentorship and strategic support.

The franchise is transitioning into a new era under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and recently named former India pacer Zaheer Khan as their new head coach following Stephen Fleming's departure.

CSK have faced a difficult period, failing to make the playoffs for three consecutive years—including finishing eighth in 2025 and at the bottom of the table in 2026 during Dhoni's playing absence.

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has previously iterated that the final call to return entirely rests with Dhoni himself. While a transition into a formal coaching or mentoring role remains on the horizon, fans will have a definitive answer regarding one final on-field campaign once his medical reports arrive ahead of the December deadline.