MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend, has dropped a massive hint about his participation in the IPL 2025. As the deadline for player retention for IPL 2025 approaches, all eyes have been on MS Dhoni and whether he’ll play in next year’s tournament or not.

For the past two years, MS Dhoni has had to deal with injuries. He led CSK to the IPL 2023 title despite a knee injury and then played in IPL 2024 with a hamstring tear. This has limited his abilities, and while he has kept wickets in all the matches in both seasons, he has batted as a finisher, facing very few balls, but has had a huge impact.

The 43-year-old had relinquished the CSK captaincy and handed the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024.

Dhoni expressed his intention to enjoy "the last few years of cricket" during a Rigi promotional event on Friday, implying that he could play in the tournament's next edition.

"I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play. In our childhood, we used to go out to play at 4 pm and enjoy the game. But when you play a professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy cricket, just like a game. That's what I want to do,” Dhoni was quoted by Times of India.

CSK has the option of retaining Dhoni as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore under a revamped retention rule that was reinstated after being removed in 2021. This might allow Dhoni to continue playing for the franchise while reducing the burden of being a key player.

"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, you know, chill a bit," he said.

Reflecting on how his emotions as a spectator differ from his time as a player, he said, "When I was playing, I used to watch less, but now that I'm not playing international cricket, every time there's a game going on, I watch keenly. As a spectator, my heart rate goes up. On the field, my heart rate is more controlled, but watching as a fan, it shoots up."