Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon MS Dhoni has yet to confirm his availability for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), revealed CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan. After CSK’s unexpected exit from the group stage of IPL 2024, Dhoni remained silent about whether he would participate in the next edition.
With the IPL 2025 mega auction approaching, Viswanathan is hopeful that Dhoni, one of CSK’s most celebrated players, will confirm his participation before October 31. “We have no confirmation from him yet, though we would like him to continue playing for us. We hope he will confirm before the 31st,” Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo.
October 31 is the deadline for all ten franchises to submit their list of retained players ahead of the mega auction. CSK has the option to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player after a rule change, which allows players retired from international cricket for five years to be considered uncapped. Should Dhoni confirm his availability, CSK could retain him as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore from their Rs 120 crore auction budget.
Dhoni last played for India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand and retired from international cricket in 2020. In IPL 2024, he played as a finisher, accumulating 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.55, despite managing a muscle injury throughout the season.
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CSK CEO Viswanathan and Dhoni’s fans are “very hopeful” that he will return for IPL 2025. However, his participation may hinge on his fitness, given that Dhoni doesn’t play competitive cricket outside the IPL.
