MS Dhoni has dropped his biggest hint yet that the end of his IPL career might be near. After Chennai Super Kings’ thrilling two-wicket win against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Dhoni opened up about his future in the tournament.
The 43-year-old CSK legend said he plans to assess his fitness over the next 6–8 months before making a decision about playing in IPL 2026.
“There is no escaping the fact that I am in the last phase of my career. After this IPL, I’ll work hard for another 6–8 months and then see if my body can handle the pressure,” Dhoni said after the match.
‘They Don’t Know When It’s My Last Time’
Despite CSK being out of the playoff race, Dhoni continues to draw massive crowds across venues. The match at Eden Gardens saw a sea of yellow jerseys as fans came to witness what could be one of Dhoni’s final games at the iconic ground.
“I have received love and affection throughout. A lot of fans don’t know when it’s going to be my last time, so they come to watch me play,” he added.
After undergoing knee surgery last year, Dhoni has been playing short but impactful cameos in IPL 2025. CSK coach Stephen Fleming earlier admitted that Dhoni “can’t bat 10 overs at full intensity,” which is why he often appears only in the final overs.
Dhoni Reflects on CSK’s Tough Season
With CSK officially eliminated from playoff contention, Dhoni shared his thoughts on the team’s performance this year.
“A few things didn’t go our way. We’re now focusing on giving players a chance, evaluating where they fit in, and checking their mental toughness,” he said.
He emphasized the need to be practical rather than emotional and said that CSK is using this opportunity to test its bench strength and future squad combinations.
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