'I can play cricket for next 5 years, but...': MS Dhoni maintains suspense on IPL retirement

MS Dhoni maintains suspense on IPL retirement (PTI Photo)

Will MS Dhoni play the next edition of Indian Premier League (IPL)? This question has been posed to the veteran wicketkeeper on several occasion and every time Dhoni has successfully managed to dodge it with his witty response.

He did exactly the same while speaking at an event organised by Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospital in Chennai on Saturday. Dhoni started off by saying that he has got the clearance to play cricket for next five years, but it was followed with a "but", which left the supporters guessing.

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“I just got a tick mark that I can play cricket for the next five years. But the catch is that I have been given clearance only for eyesight. I need clearance for my body as well. I cannot play cricket just with my eyes (laughs),” said the 44-year-old, who still operates as a wicketkeeper-batter of five-time IPL winner Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Meanwhile, his franchise, which is regarded as one of the most successful in the tournament, has not been able to get the desired results in the last two editions. On both occasions, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs. In 2024, the team had a chance but lost a do-or-die battle against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) but the latest edition saw them surrender completely. The Yellow Army finished at the bottom of the 10-team points table, managing just 4 wins from the total 14 matches.

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Reflecting on the same, Dhoni stressed that CSK cannot rely on past glory. “You always have to be at your best. It is not about what you have done in the past 15 or 16 years. The next year you turn up again, you have to start from there. Nobody respects what you did in the past,” said the gloveman.