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The ongoing speculation surrounding MS Dhoni‘s future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains one of the most compelling narratives in cricket. While fans eagerly await a decision, Dhoni recently offered a characteristically witty yet revealing response to a fan, providing a candid glimpse into the physical toll his career is taking. His comments, coupled with a detailed look at his performance in a challenging IPL 2025 season, paint a clear picture of the factors influencing his potential return.
A witty response from CSK legend MS Dhoni regarding his IPL future
At a recent public event, the legendary Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain was confronted with a passionate plea from a fan to play in the IPL 2026 season. With his trademark humor, Dhoni deflected the request with a lighthearted but pointed question: “Arre, ghutne me jo dard hota hai uska take care kaun karega?” (The pain I have in my knees, who will take care of that?).
This humorous remark, which drew laughter from the crowd, was a rare moment of candor from a player who typically keeps his thoughts private. Despite the joke, Dhoni maintained that no final decision has been made. He stated, “I don’t know whether I’ll play or not. I have time to decide. I have some time until December, so I’ll take another couple of months, and then finally, I can make my decision.” This leaves the door ajar for a potential return and CSK fans could hold out hope for another season.
Here’s the video:
Fans shouting u have to play sir
MS Dhoni : Who will take care of knee pain and smile 😃 pic.twitter.com/v1Msz9yval
— Yash MSdian ™️ 🦁 (@itzyash07) August 10, 2025
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The physical toll and a challenging IPL 2025 season for ‘Thala’ Dhoni
Dhoni’s joke about his knee pain is a direct reference to a persistent physical challenge that has impacted his performance since IPL 2023. After leading CSK to a dramatic fifth title, he underwent surgery to address the issue, but the recurring pain has continued to influence his game.
This was evident throughout the IPL 2025 season, which proved to be one of the poorest in CSK’s history, with the team finishing last with only four wins from 14 games. Dhoni, who took over the captaincy mid-season from an injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, demonstrated his unwavering commitment and tactical brilliance despite his physical limitations. In the 2025 season, he scored 196 runs from 14 matches, batting as low as number eight in some games.
His performance was marked by a strike rate of 135.17 and an average of 24.50, with a highest score of 30 not out. Behind the stumps, he still managed to secure 11 dismissals (6 catches and 5 stumpings), showcasing his enduring wicketkeeping skills. His ability to notch up a few impressive wins towards the end of the campaign, even with a ‘faltering and imbalanced side,’ further highlighted his immense influence. While the stats may suggest a player whose aggressive powers are waning, Dhoni’s continued ability to draw full-houses and the franchise’s desire for his return speak volumes about his irreplaceable value as a leader and a cricketing icon.
Also READ: S. Badrinath places MS Dhoni at eleventh in his blind ranking of India’s all-time Test XI
