Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
MS Dhoni once again sparked excitement among Chennai Super Kings fans after joking about playing IPL till the age of 60 during a light-hearted interaction at Chepauk. The CSK icon, now 44, drew loud cheers when he responded to actor Sivakarthikeyan’s playful request to keep playing for years to come.
The moment came during CSK’s fan event on March 22, where Sivakarthikeyan, shared the stage with the IPL 2026 squad and spoke about his journey as a fan of the side as well MS Dhoni. Urging Dhoni to ignore retirement talk and continue donning the yellow jersey, the actor’s request was met with a humorous yet telling response. Speaking during the interaction, Dhoni said maintaining fitness at his age was becoming increasingly difficult before sparking hope amongst the CSK fans.
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“It will be difficult but I can try.”
Watch the video here:
The remark triggered a roaring response from the Chepauk crowd, with the video of the exchange quickly going viral across social media.
Dhoni, who is set to play his 19th IPL season, remains one of the league’s most iconic figures. With 278 matches and 5439 runs, he has been central to CSK’s journey, leading the franchise to five IPL titles before stepping down as captain ahead of the 2024 season. Although he briefly returned to lead the side last year after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, the team is now firmly transitioning towards a new leadership phase.
WILL IPL 2026 BE MS DHONI’S LAST?
Speculation around Dhoni’s future continues to grow, especially given his evolving role within the team. While CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed that Dhoni will be available for the entire IPL 2026 season, his exact role is expected to be more flexible and managed by the team.
Over the past few seasons, Dhoni’s on-field responsibilities have gradually reduced. Having handed over the captaincy to Gaikwad, he has largely operated as a finisher, often coming in late to maximise scoring in the final overs. The impact substitute rule has further limited his involvement, making his appearances more situational.
At the same time, CSK’s squad composition hints at a transition. With players like Sanju Samson now in the setup, even wicketkeeping duties could be shared or eventually passed on. Despite that, Dhoni’s experience and presence remain invaluable, particularly after CSK endured a difficult IPL 2025 season where they finished at the bottom of the table.
As the franchise looks to rebuild under Gaikwad, IPL 2026 could represent both a fresh start and a potential farewell chapter for one of the greatest players in the tournament’s history.
– Ends
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
