Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will open their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 23, and former captain MS Dhoni is already in action. A training video of Dhoni has gone viral on social media, showing him timing a short delivery perfectly and sending the ball soaring.
Dhoni, 43, will be playing his 18th IPL season. After leading CSK to five IPL titles, including the 2023 championship, he stepped down as captain before the 2024 season. Ruturaj Gaikwad took over the role, guiding the team to a fifth-place finish.
Despite batting lower in the order last season, Dhoni remained effective, scoring 161 runs at an average of 53.67 with a strike rate exceeding 220. Reports indicated he played through an injury, raising hopes that he might bat higher in 2025.
Since retiring from international cricket in 2019, Dhoni has played only in the IPL. His status as a retired player allowed CSK to retain him as an uncapped player before the IPL 2025 auction. Last month, Dhoni suggested he could continue for a few more years.
"I just want to enjoy cricket for the last few years I will be able to play," he said during the launch of his app. "I want to enjoy it like I did as a child when sports time meant cricket more often than not."
With the IPL approaching, fans eagerly await another season of Dhoni’s finishing skills and leadership on the field.
