MS Dhoni's Future in IPL: Will He Retire This Season?
The Anticipation Surrounding MS Dhoni's Retirement
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) season kicks off, fans are once again speculating whether this will be the year MS Dhoni decides to retire. At 44 years old, the legendary player of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) holds the title of the oldest active player in the league. Despite his age, he remains a vital part of the team, aiming to secure a sixth title under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Following a disappointing last season where they finished at the bottom of the table, CSK has revamped their roster significantly for the 2026 IPL season. They have made notable signings, including T20 World Cup 2026 star Sanju Samson, alongside Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, and Urvil Patil. Additionally, they acquired Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma for record amounts during the mini auction held in Abu Dhabi last year. With the inclusion of Urvil, Samson, and Sharma, CSK now boasts three wicket-keeper batters apart from Dhoni, marking a shift in their squad strategy.
Dhoni Addresses Retirement Speculations
MS Dhoni Answers Retirement Rumors
On March 22, CSK hosted an elaborate pre-season event featuring both current and former players. During the event, actor Sivakarthikeyan humorously referenced Dhoni's iconic 'definitely not' response regarding his future from the 2020 IPL. He expressed his hope for a similar reply this year, jokingly stating, 'With your fitness, you can play till 60. It is easy.' To this, Dhoni candidly replied, 'It is very difficult,' acknowledging that his fitness is not what it used to be. 'It is on the way down, not the way up,' he remarked. However, he charmed the audience moments later by saying, 'I can try,' which resonated well with the fans and elicited enthusiastic cheers from the crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Wait for it.. #WhistlePodu #Roar26 pic.twitter.com/CjBX6sCEis
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 22, 2026
During the same event, CSK honored Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden by inducting them into their hall of fame, marking them as the first players to receive this recognition from the franchise. CSK is set to kick off their season on March 30 against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati. Notably, Dhoni is the only player who has been part of CSK in every season since the league's inception.