"With MS Dhoni you never know"- Virat Kohli cited as example to CSK skipper to leave IPL now

Former Indian cricketer Murali Kartik slammed MS Dhoni for overstaying in IPL. After the final league stage match, MS Dhoni stated that he has 5-6 months to decide whether to play in IPL 2026 or not.

In response, Murali Kartik believed that it is time for Dhoni to take a call on his IPL career and said that everything you love has to go someday.

Murali Kartik on MS Dhoni

Murali Kartik feels that Dhoni has overstayed his welcome in the IPL. Everything has to come to an end, and advised Dhoni to think about his career.

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“As much as the world loves Dhoni and as much as certain things we don't want to end, a day has to come when they have to go. Sometimes what happens is that you don't want to be pushed, isn't it? Sometimes, you don't want even the ones who love you to actually say, 'You have overstayed your welcome'. Even if it's MS Dhoni or whoever, just think about it,” Kartik said on Cricbuzz.

Kartik also gave Virat Kohli’s example of how he left the game early despite having two or three years left in him. For Dhoni, it isn't easy to understand what is going on in his mind.

“Now that Virat Kohli has gone, everyone is saying, ‘you had two three years left. You are 36. You are so fit'. With Dhoni, you don't know. I have always said this he doesn't allow his left hand to know what his right hand is thinking. For us, it is very difficult to figure out what is going on in his mind," he added.

Ruturaj Gaikwad will replace MS Dhoni in IPL 2026

CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad had been ruled out of the IPL 2025 midway, and then Dhoni was announced as the stand-in captain for the team.

Kartik also addressed a question from a fan: Will Dhoni captain again in the next season? The left-arm spinner backed Gaikwad to take over the captaincy in the next season, as the leadership role now belongs to him only.

“One of the main reasons why the captaincy was handed to Ruturaj was the passing of the baton so I don't think even if MS Dhoni comes back, with MS Dhoni you don't know what he's thinking, is it for the sake of the franchise or sake of whatever. No one knows. I don't think they will take the captaincy away from Ruturaj Gaikwad and give it to Dhoni,” said Kartik.

Gaikwad has to fill big shoes in the CSK franchise, and he also has to carry Dhoni's legacy in the IPL. Gaikwad will be looking to make a solid comeback in the next season.

Wooden spoon for CSK in IPL 2025

For the first time in IPL history, CSK finished the league stage at the wooden spoon. The wooden spoon refers to finishing the league stage at the bottom.

CSK won just four matches out of 14 games with eight points. CSK’s top order has failed drastically this season and has never looked competitive in the competition.

CSK won the last league stage match against Gujarat Titans by 83 runs. Their batters put a mammoth score of 230 runs in the first innings.

Read also: Suresh Raina Announces His Appointment As Chennai Super Kings' New Batting Coach