'Without Playing Every Game...': Anil Kumble Makes Shocking Claim On MS Dhoni's IPL 2025 Future

Indian Premier League: As the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 is on the verge of ending, cricket fans shift their focus to the extravagant T20 tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL). Before the start of the upcoming season of the cash-rich tournament, former cricketer Anil Kumble made shocking claims about legendary cricketer and former Indian captain MS Dhoni's future ahead of his 18th season in the IPL.

Dhoni has been playing in the IPL since the very first season. The legendary wicket-keeper batter has been the face of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with whom Dhoni made his debut in the T20 tournament. In the 2016 and 2017 seasons of the IPL, the 43-year-old represented the Rising Pune Supergiants; the rest, he has been the constant man for the Chennai-based franchise.

In 2020, Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket but continued playing in the IPL. The former CSK skipper has played 264 IPL matches, scoring 5243 runs at a strike rate of 137.54. However, for the past few seasons, there have been rumors that the middle-order batter will retire from the tournament. Before the start of the 2024 season of IPL, Dhoni handed over the leadership role in CSK to his teammate Ruturaj Gaikwad.

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Anil Kumble On MS Dhoni's Future In IPL 2025

While speaking exclusively on JioHotstar, Anil Kumble opened up on expectations from MS Dhoni in the upcoming season and said that in the 18th season of the IPL, the wicketkeeper-batter may not take the field but will be a part of the squad. The former spin legend added that Dhoni's presence with the Chennai-based franchise will still be valuable for the team.

“With Ruturaj leading the side, this could be a season where Dhoni may not even take the field. He might still be part of the squad, thanks to retention rules, and with the impact player rule, his presence can still be valuable without playing every game,” Kumble told JioHotstar.

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IPL 2025 To Begin On March 22

The 2025 season of the IPL will begin on March 22, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will lock horns in the opening match of the upcoming season. Meanwhile,MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings will begin their season on March 23 against Mumbai Indians.