MS Dhoni featured in the 18th edition of IPL for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the age of 43. The wicketkeeper-batter 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 five-time champions became the first team to be knocked out of the playoffs race and finished last in the points table for the first time ever.

After CSK’s dismal show in the IPL 2025, many experts and former cricketers feel that Dhoni won’t play the cash-rich league again. However, Dhoni, who turned 44 last month, was non-committal about his possible return in 2026 after CSK’s final match of the season.

Speaking at an function, Dhoni recently hinted at his participation in the IPL next year as well and the video of the same went viral on social media.

“I just got a tick mark for the next five years I can play cricket. But the only catch is Doc only gave a clearance for eyesight. Body, He didn’t gave a clearance for the body. But I cannot play cricket only with my eyes,” Dhoni said.

He further started that the return of Ruturaj Gaikwad will bolster CSK’s batting in the forthcoming IPL season.

“We were slightly worried about our batting order. But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now," said Dhoni, indicating that CSK will retain the services of Gaikwad.

Dhoni said the franchise will try to strengthen the unit through mini-auction later this year. “I won’t say we (CSK) slacked off (in IPL 2025). But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to plug those in," he added.

Dhoni acknowledged that the Super Kings have been well below-par over the last two seasons, but highlighted the importance of identifying those grey areas.

“Yes, the last couple of years have not been good for us. We have not been up to the mark. But what is important is for you to see the learnings. Yes, you had a bad season. But what went wrong? And that was the question for us last year also.

“We were like, okay, there are some shortcomings. But first we needed to exactly figure out what were the shortcomings and then look at solutions," he remarked.