"Is MS Dhoni Really Retiring or Are Fans Being Fooled?"

The call for MS Dhoni’s retirement has resurfaced among fans after he batted at number nine during Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). The 43-year-old veteran, who is notably playing as an uncapped player for the first time in the tournament’s history, remains part of the CSK squad.  

While there has been no official announcement regarding Dhoni’s retirement, speculation intensified after a viral video from Guwahati sparked fresh debate. Despite persistent retirement rumors over the years, CSK’s former captain continues to feature in the current IPL season. Emotions have run high among fans following CSK’s recent match against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. However, the retirement chatter seems to be fueled more by playful April Fool’s Day pranks than any confirmed information.

MS Dhoni has not officially addressed any plans to retire. In February 2025, he expressed his love for the game, stating, "I want to enjoy the game like I did in my early days," Dhoni said in February 2025, hinting at playing for a few more years. The CSK legend is still focused on franchise cricket despite retiring from international cricket in 2019. Even though CSK retained him Rs 4 crore, much less than his prior pay of Rs 12 crore, Dhoni's leadership is still priceless.

While fans speculate that IPL 2025 could be his final season, Dhoni’s presence is considered crucial for mentoring young players. Former cricket great Sunil Gavaskar dismissed the retirement talk, stressing that Dhoni views age as just a number. Gavaskar noted that the former India captain, now 45, is still effortlessly hitting sixes, proving he has plenty left to offer. Speculation about MS Dhoni’s retirement from IPL 2025 continues, but his presence remains vital for grooming young players. Sunil Gavaskar dismissed the rumors, highlighting Dhoni’s ability to hit sixes effortlessly at 45. A viral video from the CSK vs RR match in Guwahati fueled retirement talks, but no farewell ceremony was confirmed. Before the match, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia presented Dhoni with the 'IPL 18 Memento' for his long-standing contribution since 2008.

1⃣8⃣ 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬. 1⃣ 𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧. ♾️ 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

The legendary MS Dhoni was felicitated by Mr. Devajit Saikia - Honorary Secretary of BCCI ahead of the #RRvCSK clash 💛#TATAIPL | @lonsaikia | @ChennaiIPL | @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/8m8trrNHE5

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2025

Criticism over MS Dhoni’s current IPL 2025 form has sparked heated discussions among fans. One user remarked, "Dhoni coming at no 9 is the lowest point in his career. He should retire gracefully rather than face this embarrassment."

Another user speculated, "Dhoni is in IPL because he is a crowd puller, and organizers want to capitalize on his brand. He’s playing as a tailender to avoid exhaustion since he plans to play more IPLs in the future. Wicket-keeping is also challenging; he should stay away from it."

A third fan drew a comparison, stating, "Maybe he has lost touch and confidence; he is very much Bhishma Pitamah, mutely watching CSK’s debacle instead of promoting himself up the order. He should have been ready to soak up the pressure... truly the lowest point in MSD’s career."

Despite the criticism and ongoing retirement rumors, MS Dhoni remains a key figure in IPL 2025. While fans continue to speculate about his future, there has been no official announcement on his retirement. For now, only Dhoni himself can put the speculation to rest.