MS Dhoni teases IPL 2026 return, to assess fitness first

MS Dhoni, the legendary former India captain and current stand-in skipper for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has opened up about his Indian Premier League future, and while he’s not making any promises, he hasn’t ruled out a return in IPL 2026 either. At 43, with a knee surgery behind him and a fan base that treats every match like a festival, Dhoni admitted he’s in the “final leg” of his career. Still, he left just enough room for hope.

MS Dhoni speaks up about his IPL future

Speaking after CSK’s win over Kolkata Knight Riders, Dhoni shared that he will take 6 to 8 months to assess if his body can handle the demands of T20 cricket again. The wicketkeeper-batter, who has been managing fitness issues since undergoing knee surgery two years ago, said he’ll only decide after putting in the hard work during the offseason.

“There is no escaping the fact that I am in the last phase of my career. After this IPL gets over, I have to work hard for another 6–8 months to see if my body can take this pressure,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.

MS Dhoni & a chase. Some things never get old ✨ pic.twitter.com/RuQ7mpPmsy

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 7, 2025

'Fans don’t know if it’s my last match'

Dhoni acknowledged the overwhelming support he continues to receive across stadiums, regardless of CSK’s position in the points table. Whether it’s Wankhede or Eden Gardens, fans show up in yellow, not knowing if it might be their last chance to see Dhoni play live.

“That is the love and affection I have gotten throughout. Not to forget, I am 43. I have played for a long time. A lot of them don’t know when it is going to be my last time, so they want to come and see me play.”

It’s that sea of yellow, cheering louder with each passing match, that has added to the emotional weight of this season for fans and Dhoni alike.

Stephen Fleming on MS Dhoni’s fitness struggles

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming also weighed in, saying that Dhoni’s physical limitations are real. He admitted the veteran cannot consistently bat through 10 overs with the same intensity anymore—something that’s factored into how the team is managing his role.

CSK’s IPL 2025 campaign

Chennai Super Kings’ season hasn’t lived up to expectations. With just three wins so far and playoff hopes gone, Dhoni said the team is now looking to test its bench strength and focus on building for the future.

“There were a few things that did not go our way. You could get emotional about it, talk about the pride factor, but you have to be practical about it.”

The remaining matches, including their next fixture against Rajasthan Royals on May 12 at home, will likely be used to give younger players more game time.

Will MS Dhoni return for IPL 2026?

Right now, there’s no final word. But for fans, even the slightest chance of seeing MS Dhoni in the yellow jersey again in 2026 is enough to hold on to. Cricket might not have seen the last of Thala just yet.

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