Sports
44-year-old Dhoni ties IPL return to December check
The Indian Express·
MS Dhoni said he may decide by December whether he can play one more IPL season. At a healthcare event, the 44-year-old said a doctor would test him and report before that deadline. Dhoni missed the entire 2026 campaign for Chennai Super Kings. CSK have won the title five times, all with Dhoni as captain, most recently in 2023.
Prism
What It Means For You
- CSK fans will not know Dhoni's 2027 availability until he completes the December fitness assessment he described.
- He framed the decision as dependent on medical tests rather than a firm commitment to play.
- If he declines, the franchise continues without the only active inaugural-season captain still in the league.
What's Happening
- In a video posted by ANI, Dhoni asked a doctor for a report before December on whether he can play another season.
- He joked that if he is not strong enough, the medical team has to keep the 'old vintage vehicle' running.
- Dhoni missed all of the 2026 IPL after earlier seasons as a finisher following his international retirement.
Where Dhoni stands with CSK
- Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain after 2023, handing the role to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
- CSK failed to pass the group stage in the seasons after that title win.
- He retired from international cricket in 2020 after India's 2019 World Cup semi-final.
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