New Delhi: Former India and Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hinted at continuing playing in IPL 2025, saying he wants to enjoy the cricket he is playing in his last few years as a player. Dhoni batted much lower in the order after handing over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad in the last season. This led to speculations about his future.
Dhoni can play as an uncapped player
All franchises in IPL will have to submit the list of their retained players by October 31 before the mega auction. Dhoni may be retained as an uncapped player by CSK this year. “I want to enjoy whatever cricket I have been able to play in my last few years,” Dhoni said at a promotional event held in Goa a few days ago.
I want to enjoy sports for the next few years
MS Dhoni said, ‘I want to enjoy the game the same way as in childhood we used to go out and play at four in the evening, just enjoy the game. When you play the game professionally, sometimes it becomes difficult to enjoy it. There are emotions and commitments involved in everything I do, but I want to enjoy the game for the next few years.
Why was Dhoni playing down in IPL?
Dhoni said, ‘My thinking was simple, if other people are doing their job well then why do I need to come in the upper order. If you are talking specifically about last year (season), the T20 World Cup squad was going to be announced soon so we have to give a chance to those guys who were in the race to make it to the national team. Our team (CSK) had players like (Ravindra) Jadeja and Shivam Dubey, who needed a chance to prove themselves to get into the Indian team. There was nothing in it for me, no selection and stuff. So I am fine (playing lower down the order) and my team was happy with what I was doing.