IPL 2025: MS Dhoni’s reappointment as CSK captain demanded by S Badrinath

Former Indian cricketer S Badrinath came up with a massive suggestion related to MS Dhoni ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He said that till the time keeper-batter plays in the league, he should be captaining the Chennai Super Kings in the tournament.

MS Dhoni arguably is one of the best captains to have played in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The keeper-batter has made Chennai Super Kings the most successful franchise in the tournament, helping them win five titles.

MS Dhoni, apart from being the best finisher in the game, has been very effective as the leader. The keeper-batter holds the record of taking Chennai Super Kings to the most number of playoffs in the league. The way he brought the best of his players was the standout feature for the team.

Ahead of the IPL 2024, MS Dhoni gave away his captaincy and passed on the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. The young batter played a decent role, but it was the keeper-batter who was seen passing on the inputs to the young leader of the team.

Although Chennai Super Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs, Ruturaj Gaikwad did a decent job for his team. MS Dhoni, despite being injured, played a vital role for his team as he batted down the order and played some great cameos, entertaining the fans across the venues.

S Badrinath, ahead of the IPL 2025, made a massive statement, saying that if Dhoni plays next season, he should lead the team. He feels that it's hard to see anyone captain the team if the keeper-batter is on the field. Speaking to InsideSport, he explained:

"If MS is to play, if he is playing, until he is playing, I think he should lead. That's my opinion on it. You know, because I feel that whoever you put as a captain on the field, if an MS is there, it's impossible to see anybody else as captain because he's just… nobody can be MS, is what I feel"

As long as MS Dhoni is playing, I would like him to lead - S Badrinath

S Badrinath further suggested that Dhoni should lead the team as long as he is playing. He believes that grooming the young player as captain won't work so the keeper-batter should take the role himself. He elaborated:

"So, I think, my suggestion, of course, the prefix for the two cents in this word is that, if he plays, I think I want to believe. So, because whatever… I don't think you can be on the field and still groom a captain. I don't know whether it will work or not. It might or it might not. So, as long as MS is playing, I would like him to lead."

There is no clarity if MS Dhoni will be playing in the IPL 2025 or not. There have been reports that claimed that the keeper-batter will decide once the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) releases the retention policy for the mega auction.