IPL 2025: "MS Dhoni said I will...." - CSK CEO reveals keeper-batter's plan for next season

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan gave a massive update about MS Dhoni's participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He revealed that the keeper-batter told him that he would confirm his availability before 31st October.

MS Dhoni's participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has kept many confused. So far, there hasn't been any clarity if the keeper-batter will be playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the next edition or not. Everything will be cleared once the franchises announce their retained players.

Franchises have time till 31st October to submit their list of released and retained players.

All the franchises have time till 31st October to submit their list of released and retained players. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the retention policy for the mega auction and one rule among them was deliberately made for Dhoni so that he can play without risking the team's future.

The rule allows the team to retain an Indian player who hasn't played international cricket for five years in the uncapped category. Also, the player cannot be retained at more than INR 4 crore. This means that the Chennai Super Kings now can retain Dhoni in the uncapped category and can keep their premier players as well.

However, now all be dependant on Dhoni if he wants to play one more season or not. In an interview at an event, the keeper-batter mentioned that he would be taking calls on his future only after the retention policy for the tournament was released.

MS Dhoni said, 'I will tell you before October 31 - CSK CEO

Chennai Super Kings want MS Dhoni to play but they are waiting for confirmation from the keeper-batter. CEO of the franchise Kasi Viswanathan revealed that the former skipper of the team will confirm his availability soon and they are hopeful of him playing. Speaking during the event, he explained (as quoted by India Today):

"We also want Dhoni to play in the CSK team. But Dhoni has not confirmed it to us yet. Dhoni said, 'I will tell you before October 31.' We hope that he will play."

MS Dhoni to be retained in the uncapped category

There were reports in Times of India on Sunday (20th October) which revealed that the Chennai Super Kings will be retaining MS Dhoni for INR 4 crore in the uncapped player category. While Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana are likely to be other retentions.

MS Dhoni played all the games for Chennai Super Kings in the last edition. Even though he was battling a knee issue, he entertained the crowd big time with his power-hitting. He scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220, this all came when he batted down the order.

Dhoni also stepped down as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings before IPL 2024. Ruturaj Gaikwad then took over the leadership. The young batter did a decent job but couldn't take the team to the playoffs. The keeper-batter made the team the most successful franchise in the league as he guided them to five titles in the league.