MS Dhoni's teammate announces his retirement despite Dhoni hiding it

Former India and CSK batter Robin Uthappa has hinted at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend MS Dhoni's retirement after the IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans (GT). Uthappa stated that Dhoni's decision to play in the IPL 2026 season will depend on his physical condition during the off-season.

Dhoni played all 14 matches for Chennai Super Kings during the 2025 IPL season but has not yet announced whether he will participate in the 2026 edition. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter had to take over the captaincy role after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the season due to injury.

Chennai Super Kings End Campaign at the Bottom of the Table

The 43-year-old led Chennai Super Kings in their most disappointing campaign, finishing last in the standings for the first time in the history of the tournament. However, CSK ended on a positive note with a dominant 83-run win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Monday, May 25.

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Dhoni faced more deliveries than in the previous two seasons combined. However, his decision to bat lower down the order drew criticism, especially during key moments when CSK struggled. Head coach Stephen Fleming said that Dhoni’s knees prevented him from batting higher up the order.

Dhoni scored 196 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 135.17. The right-handed batter came in at No. 6 or lower in ten of those games.

It All Depends on MS Dhoni's Health and How He Feels - Robin Uthappa

Speaking on JioStar, Robin Uthappa stated that MS Dhoni still has the desire to compete and win titles. However, Uthappa added that the final decision will depend on his physical condition, given the limited cricket between seasons.

“It all depends on his health and how he feels. You have to understand that he really wants to play — the fire still burns,” Uthappa said.

“From what he said during the post-match presentation, it’s clear that the fire still burns to win championships, to play out there in the middle. Now it’s about going back and working on his body to bring it to the level he wants for the next IPL,” he added.

You’ll See a Tweet or an Instagram Post - Robin Uthappa on MS Dhoni’s Retirement

Robin Uthappa said that MS Dhoni will decide on his future with Chennai Super Kings and will inform the team ahead of the upcoming mini-auction.

Uthappa also added that if MS Dhoni chooses to retire, the announcement will likely be made through a social media post.

“If that doesn’t happen, he’ll call it before the mini-auction. If not, you’ll see a tweet or an Instagram post,” predicted Uthappa.

Dhoni led the Super Kings for nine games following Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury. After a disappointing 2025 season, CSK will have to make decisions in the off-season. The futures of key veterans, including Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, remain uncertain as the team plans a major overhaul.

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