'Not Confirmed Yet...': CSK CEO Acknowledges Uncertainty as MS Dhoni Delays Confirmation of IPL 2025

Fans are anticipating the arrival of their favourite players with great fervour as the IPL 2025 draws near. There is a great deal of demand for MS Dhoni to stay with CSK, as supporters strongly desire that the team keep him. There is a clear buzz about the next season.

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CSK CEO acknowledges MS Dhoni has not yet confirmed intentions for IPL 2025

The CEO of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kasi Viswanathan, said that MS Dhoni has not yet confirmed his IPL 2025 participation. He is still hopeful about the cricket star performing in the next T20 competition despite this uncertainty. Given the fact that MS Dhoni is 43 years old and has been visibly struggling owing to his knees in the past 2 seasons. 

Before relinquishing the leadership to Ruturaj Gaikwad for the 2024 season, Dhoni led CSK to triumph in IPL 2023. Chennai lost their last league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), hence missing from the playoffs in the IPL 2024.

Fans have speculated about Dhoni's possible comeback for another IPL season since the conclusion of the competition. Franchise retention lists must be finalised by October 31; a major auction is set for before the 2025 season. Viswanathan underlined the want of the franchise for Dhoni to be back in action, but he also noted that the former India captain has not yet spoken his opinion. Sports Vikatan quotes Viswanathan's observations on the subject:

"We also want Dhoni to play in the CSK team. But Dhoni has not confirmed it to us yet. Dhoni said, 'I will tell you before October 31.' We hope that he will play."

On September 28 the BCCI unveiled the IPL player rules for the 2025 to 2027 seasons with much expectation. One important guideline is that “a capped Indian player will be classified as uncapped if they have not played in the starting XI in International Cricket (Test, ODI, or T20) in the five calendar years prior to the season, or if they do not hold a Central Contract with the BCCI.”

Reversing this regulation has elicited conflicting responses. Although it was included into the league's initial structure, clubs did not make use of it, so it was eliminated in 2021. Some experts and supporters feel that this control is being reinstated, especially for Dhoni.

Whether MS Dhoni will come back to play for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 is still unknown. Should he decide to return to the IPL , the 43-year-old legend may be kept by CSK uncapped for ₹4 crore.

Last representing the national squad at the 2019 ODI World Cup , the former India captain announced his August 2020 retirement from international cricket.