Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently discussed MS Dhoni's potential future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Notably, Dhoni has been retained by his team under the "uncapped player" category and is ready to compete in his 18th season of the competition. In order to ensure that Chennai's cherished "Thala" returns to their "anbuden" for one more season, CSK was able to sign Dhoni for a mere INR 4 crore.
CSK CEO on Dhoni's future
Whether Dhoni will play in the future or if this season will be his final appearance is yet unknown. Regarding the future of the wicketkeeper batter, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently disclosed that the "Captain Cool" keeps everything to himself. The team's doors remain open for him as long as he wants to play, he added that Dhoni would like to play his final game in Chennai.
"As far as Mahi bhai (brother) is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself. It comes out at the last moment only. Knowing the passion he has for CSK, and also knowing the following he has, and he also mentioned in one of the interviews that he'll play his last game in Chennai, we're hoping that he will continue as far as CSK is concerned. As long as MS wants to play, the doors are open. Knowing him, his commitment, and his dedication, I'm sure he'll always take the right decision," said Viswanathan during a discussion with Rayudu on Provoke TV.
The IPL governing board reinstated the uncapped player rule for the 2025 season and ensured Dhoni's return for another season. A capped Indian player will lose his capped status if he has not played international cricket for five years since the start of the next season and does not have a BCCI Central Contract, according to the rule that was abandoned in 2021.
In addition to Dhoni, CSK kept Ravindra Jadeja (INR 18 Crore), Shivam Dube (INR 12 Crore), Matheesha Pathirana (INR 13 Crore), and Ruturaj Gaikwad (INR 18 Crore). CSK had spent INR 65 crore of their INR 120 crore purse worth after five retentions, leaving INR 55 crore to assemble the rest of their team at the mega auction.