“Not saying I’m carried out,” MS Dhoni retains suspense on retirement forward of IPL 2026

MS Dhoni has maintained suspense regarding his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend was reported to hang up his boots after the ongoing edition. But Dhoni has neither confirmed nor denied the possibility.

MS Dhoni on IPL retirement

The wicketkeeper batter has been having fitness issues for the last couple of years. In the IPL 2025, he came to bat as low as number 9 for CSK. Everything pointed towards Dhoni announcing his retirement after flirting about it for the past few years. But Dhoni isn’t calling it a day. At least, not right now.

After CSK won their final match of the season against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, Dhoni was asked whether it’s the final time fans are seeing him in the yellow jersey. The IPL legend said that he’ll return back to Ranchi, his home, and think about it. There are still a few months before the IPL 2026 auction and Dhoni will see where his body is at and then take a call on retirement.

“It depends. I have 4-5 months to decide; there’s no hurry (on retirement). Need to keep the body fit. You have to be at your best. If cricketers start retiring for their performance, some of them will retire at 22. I will go back to Ranchi and enjoy a few back rides. I am not saying I am done, not saying I am coming back. I have the luxury of timing. Will think about it and then decide,” Dhoni said after the match.

The wicketkeeper faced just 145 balls this season. Considering that Dhoni batted in 13 of the 14 matches, the number of balls faced is way too low. Shivam Dube, who doesn’t even bat in the top four, faced 270 balls for comparison. If Dhoni can’t have that level of impact due to his fitness, he might as well call it a day before the IPL 2026 auction.