MS Dhoni Quashes Retirement Talk Ahead of IPL Opener: 'Even If I'm In Wheelchair, They'll...'

Is the 2025 IPL MS Dhoni's swansong? The Indian cricket icon certainly fuelled such speculation when he rolled into Chennai a month ago, sporting a T-shirt emblazoned with "One Last Time" in Morse code.

It set social media abuzz with excitement and debate among fans.

Photo Credit: PTI

However, the 43-year-old put an end to the retirement chatter ahead of Chennai Super Kings' season opener against Mumbai Indians on Sunday at their home ground, making it clear that neither he nor the franchise are ready to part ways just yet.

Speaking to Jio Hotstar before the much-anticipated 'El Clasico' showdown at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Dhoni remarked that he could continue playing for Chennai for as long as he wishes, jokingly adding that even if he were confined to a wheelchair, CSK would still persuade him to stick around for another season.

"I can play for as long as I want for CSK. That's my franchise. Even if I'm in a wheelchair, they'll drag me," he said.

Dhoni struggled with a knee injury throughout the 2023 IPL campaign, undergoing surgery after its conclusion. He spent the rest of the year recuperating before returning for the 17th IPL edition, where he stepped down from the captaincy and dropped lower in the batting order.

Opting to bat at No. 8 or below, Dhoni hammered 161 runs off 73 balls across the season, boasting a strike rate of 220.

Dhoni on the verge of history

In Chennai's first match of the season, Dhoni has a chance to carve his name into IPL lore. The 43-year-old is just 19 runs away from overtaking former CSK star Suresh Raina as the franchise's leading run-scorer in the competition. Raina currently holds the top spot with 4,687 runs.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is eight wickets shy of becoming CSK's highest wicket-taker in IPL history. His tally trails only behind Dwayne Bravo, who claimed 140 wickets for the five-time champions.