Dhoni’s Future with CSK a Hot Topic Ahead of IPL 2025 Season
With the IPL 2025 season still months away, speculation is rife over the potential involvement of some of the league’s biggest stars. The player retention policy will be a crucial factor in the upcoming mega auction, particularly concerning the future of Chennai Super Kings’ legendary former captain, MS Dhoni.
In the midst of these discussions, former CSK star Suresh Raina, who played a significant part of his IPL career under Dhoni’s leadership, has voiced his opinion, advocating for the iconic player to continue representing the franchise at least through the next season. Raina’s suggestion stems from Dhoni’s impressive performances in IPL 2024, where his impactful batting cameos remained a key asset for the team. Moreover, Raina believes that Ruturaj Gaikwad, who took over the captaincy from Dhoni, still requires more time to fully grow into the leadership role and guide the iconic franchise.
“I want MS Dhoni to play in IPL 2025, considering how he batted last year,” Raina told Sports Tak. “I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad needs one more year, the way he captained and a lot of things were said after the loss to RCB. However, Ruturaj has done a great job.”
Raina was referring to the 68th game of the league stage in the 2024 season, where both RCB and CSK faced a must-win situation to proceed to the playoffs. The equation was tilted in favor of the Super Kings, as the Royal Challengers required further technicalities (win margins) to go their way to qualify; however, Faf du Plessis’ men defied odds to defeat CSK, thus entering the playoffs.
Under Dhoni’s captaincy, the Super Kings enjoyed a supreme run, clinching five IPL titles – the joint-most in the league’s history. Dhoni’s decision to step down earlier this year paved the way for Gaikwad’s appointment, a move that marked the beginning of a new era for CSK. However, the team faced challenges in 2024, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot by finishing fifth. As discussions continue about the upcoming season, the possibility of Dhoni’s return as a player could be a game-changing factor for CSK’s fortunes in IPL 2025.
When asked about his IPL future, Dhoni remained tight-lipped, stating that there is a lot of time for such a decision and that the ball is not in their court yet. He mentioned that once the rules and regulations are finalized, he will take a call, considering what is best for the team.
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