The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are eagerly awaiting a decision from MS Dhoni regarding his availability for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently revealed that the cricket legend has not yet confirmed whether he will continue playing, with the retention deadline for the upcoming season set for October 31, 2024.

MS Dhoni, who led the Super Kings to their fifth IPL title in 2023, has left fans and the team in suspense about his future. Despite a knee issue, Dhoni played all 14 matches in the 2024 IPL, scoring 161 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 220. Although he stepped down from captaincy ahead of IPL 2024, handing the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK's failure to qualify for the playoffs has fuelled speculation that Dhoni may want to return for one final season.

Speaking at an event, Viswanathan acknowledged that the wicketkeeper-batter has not made an announcement regarding his future, but he did express hope that Dhoni would play in the IPL 2025 season."We also want Dhoni to play in the CSK team. But Dhoni has not confirmed it to us yet. Dhoni said, 'I will tell you before October 31.' We hope that he will play," Viswanathan was quoted as saying by Sports Vikatan.

There is growing curiosity over whether Dhoni will opt to be retained by CSK for the 2025 season, especially with the return of the IPL's uncapped player rule. This rule allows franchises to retain players who have not played international cricket for the last five years at a reduced cost of ₹4 crore. Since Dhoni last represented India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, he qualifies as an "uncapped Indian player" under this regulation, sparking further speculation about CSK's plans.