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As speculation mounted over MS Dhoni's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the legendary Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain has finally addressed the retirement rumours. Speaking on Raj Shamani's podcast, the 43-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman clarified that he has not made a decision about calling time on his career, stating he would assess his condition over the next 10 months.
No Rushed Decisions
Dhoni, who has long been a pillar for CSK and one of the most influential figures in Indian cricket, said he will let his body dictate whether he returns for the next IPL season.
"I am still playing the IPL and one year at a time. I am 43, and by the end of this IPL season, I will be 44 in July. So I have 10 months to decide whether I want to play one more year and it's not me deciding; it's my body, whether you can play or not," Dhoni said during the conversation.
Form and Fitness in the Spotlight
While Dhoni's reflexes behind the stumps and overall fitness have continued to impress fans and pundits alike, his batting form has been under scrutiny this season. The CSK skipper has had underwhelming performances with the bat, leading to intensified speculation that this may be his final IPL outing as a player.
Despite the criticism, his mental sharpness and match awareness remain intact, elements that have defined his career for over two decades.
Manoj Tiwari Chimes In
Adding fuel to the discussion, former India cricketer Manoj Tiwari expressed that Dhoni should have chosen the high note of CSK's 2023 IPL title win as the moment to retire.
"I think the right time for him to retire was in 2023 when he won the IPL trophy. He should have retired then. Somewhere, I feel that all the fame, name, and respect he earned from cricket — it's kind of slipping away in the last two years with the way he's been playing," Tiwari commented.
A Wait-and-Watch Approach
With Dhoni showing no urgency to make a decision, his true fans will be closely watching his performances for the remainder of IPL 2025. For now, the former Indian captain remains focused on contributing to CSK, while taking time to weigh his options post this season.
