Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legendary player MS Dhoni may not be able to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025 because he is having fitness issues at the moment. There has been a lot of talk about his possible return, and fans and experts are excitedly waiting for official word on his plans. Dhoni is known for making choices at the last minute, so he hasn't said for sure if he will play in the next season.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, Dhoni has discussed his future with N Srinivasan, the owner of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The decision largely hinges on the number of player retentions allowed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction.

Dhoni's return is likely if the BCCI permits franchises to retain five or six players. Back in IPL 2018, teams were allowed to retain five players, but this number was reduced to four in IPL 2022. The final decision on retention policies is expected to be announced soon, which will play a crucial role in determining Dhoni's future with CSK.

If Dhoni decides to play in the next IPL season, he is expected to be an automatic retention. CSK is unlikely to release their iconic player, ensuring that he continues his tenure with the five-time champions. However, a report by Cricbuzz suggests that Dhoni might not be among CSK's first-choice retentions for IPL 2025. The franchise stakeholders currently prioritize skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube over Dhoni.