Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson expressed his hope that MS Dhoni continues playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite ongoing speculation about his future. Speaking about the frequent discussions surrounding Dhoni’s retirement from the IPL, Samson shared his thoughts, saying, “When Dhoni is playing in the IPL, people keep talking about when he is retiring; in my mind, I am like ‘thoda aur bhaiya’ (a little more, brother).”
Ever since Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, questions have lingered about how long he will continue playing in the IPL. Having led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles, Dhoni remains one of the most celebrated players in the league’s history. However, it remains uncertain whether the upcoming IPL 2025 season will be his last.
ALSO READ
Ahead of the new season, CSK retained Dhoni as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore. A recent IPL rule change allows franchises to retain players in the uncapped category if they have not played international cricket for five years, making Dhoni eligible under this provision. Since his international retirement, Dhoni has only appeared in the IPL and continues to be a vital figure for CSK.
In the IPL 2024 season, Dhoni played 11 innings, scoring 161 runs at an incredible strike rate of 220.00 and an average of 53.66. He remained unbeaten eight times, fulfilling his role as a finisher for the defending champions. His presence in the lower order proved invaluable as CSK maintained their competitive edge.
Dhoni is currently the sixth-highest run-getter in IPL history, amassing 5,243 runs in 264 matches and 229 innings at an average of 39.12 and a strike rate of 137.53. He has scored 24 half-centuries, with his highest individual score being 84 not out. While Dhoni is best known for his long association with CSK, he also played for Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in 2016 and 2017 when CSK was temporarily suspended.
Get every cricket update! Follow us on
