MS Dhoni is currently featuring in the 18th edition of IPL for CSK. The 43-year-old was signed as an uncapped player ahead of the 2025 season. He returned to the leadership role after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out midway through the tournament due to injury.
However, Dhoni failed to turn CSK’s fortunes around as the franchise became the first team to be knocked out of the playoffs race.
On Tuesday (May 20), CSK went down against Rajasthan Royals (RR) by six wickets. It was their 10th defeat in 13 outings this season and they are now set to finish last on the points table.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar advised the 43-year-old Dhoni to move on from the IPL.
Dhoni’s utility this season has been a topic of debate. On two occasions, he has come out to bat at No.9, drawing backlash from the fans and experts alike. Moreover, the legendary finisher has also been unable to finish off games apart from the clash against Lucknow Super Giants.
"At 43, it’s very tough to play in that competitive environment. Leave aside this competitive environment, but even if you go and play some local cricket, you will find how tough it is on the body. It all boils down to MS, but if I was MS, I would say it's enough. I have played whatever I wanted to play; I have looked after the interest of the franchise as well – if that was the motivation – but you know, you move on. Allow it. By you being there, if you're thinking that the transition will happen fast, there is never an ideal time. So you might as well have peace with the fact that even if I leave now, the franchise will develop on its own. It may take a year longer, but I am not going to be there for the entire cycle. So that's how I would look at MS' position," Bangar said.
After CSK’s win against KKR at the Eden Gardens earlier this month, MS Dhoni addressed the question on his IPL future, stating that he still has 6-8 months to decide whether he’ll play the next IPL season or not.
"A lot of them (crowd) don’t know when it is going to be my last time, so they want to come and see me play. There is no escaping the fact that I am in the last phase of my career. After this IPL gets over, I have to work hard for another 6-8 months to see if my body can take this pressure," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
In the IPL 2025 season, Dhoni has amassed 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17, with the highest score of 30 not out.
CSK’s last league match is scheduled against table-toppers Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 25.
