"I'm not done, But I'm not saying I'm coming back either": MS Dhoni on IPL future

Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has never been one to rush decisions—and when it comes to his IPL future, he’s staying true to that philosophy. After CSK wrapped up their 2025 campaign with a thumping 83-run win over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Dhoni addressed the burning question on everyone’s mind: Is this the end?

“I have four or five months to decide; there’s no hurry," Dhoni said.

At 43, Dhoni knows every season adds more wear and tear, but he’s not making any promises either way. “Every year it takes about 15% more effort to stay fit, and this is professional cricket. You have to be at your best,” he explained. “But if players retired based on performance alone, most of them would have stopped playing at 22.”

What matters to him more is the hunger, the fitness, and whether the team still needs him. “It’s not just about runs or wickets. It’s about what you bring to the team and if you can still contribute meaningfully,” he said.

For now, Dhoni plans to head back home to Ranchi, where his beloved bikes, some much-needed downtime, and a few long rides await. “I haven’t been home in a while. I’ll enjoy a couple of months off, take it all in, and then make a decision,” he said. “I’m not saying I’m done. I’m not saying I’ll be back. I’m just saying I have the luxury of time, and I’ll use it.”

It wasn’t CSK’s most dominant season, but they ended it on a high. Saturday’s game was one of those rare occasions where everything clicked – batting, bowling, and even fielding, which had been patchy throughout the tournament.

“We didn’t have the best season overall,” Dhoni admitted, “but finishing like this feels good. This was one of those matches where everything came together.”

He reflected on the early part of the season, where CSK played four of their first six games at home. “We won the toss a few times and chose to chase because of the dew, but honestly, I felt the pitch was better to bat on first,” he shared. “That put pressure on our batters in the second innings, and once confidence goes, it’s hard to bring it back.”

Dhoni also spoke about the team’s batting, which had been a concern but seemed to find its rhythm late in the season. “I was more worried about the batting department – you can’t win if you don’t put runs on the board,” he said. “But lately, everyone has started contributing, and that makes things easier when you’re trying to manage your bowling strategy.”

Looking ahead, he made it clear that Ruturaj Gaikwad remains a key part of CSK’s future. “When Rutu comes back next season, our aim is to give him a settled team so that he doesn’t have to worry about anything. Just slot in and play his natural game.”