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'Doctor only gave a clearance for eyesight': MS Dhoni drops big hint on his IPL 2026 return
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni arranges the field during his team's away match against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 25 May. AP
Former India captain has dropped a fresh hint for Chennai Super Kings fans on his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 return. After a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, where CSK finished last in the points table for the first time ever, many assumed that Dhoni had played his final season.
But the legendary wicketkeeper kept his fans in suspense by not confirming his decision at the end of the season. 'It depends. I have 4-5 months to decide, there's no hurry. Need to keep my body fit. You have to be at your best,' Dhoni said after CSK's final game of IPL 2025.
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Dhoni on his IPL future
At a recent event, Dhoni said that his doctor gave him a clearance for his eyesight, but not for the rest of his body. Dhoni has been dealing with a knee injury for the last couple of years and still isn't fully fit. Even during the last season, many people were worried about his fitness, including CSK coaches.
'I just got a tick mark for the next five years I can play cricket. But the only catch is Doc only gave a clearance for eyesight. Body, He didn't gave a clearance for the body. But I cannot play cricket only with my eyes,' Dhoni said.
Next 5 years I will play cricket
Thala latest interview 😂🥺❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/ptPIwfuBkd — Bhuvan 🦁 (@bhuvanChari007) August 2, 2025
Dhoni, who was retained for Rs 4 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, played all 14 matches this season and scored 196 runs. He even returned as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury, but CSK couldn't avoid a poor finish. However, Dhoni is hopeful about the team's future.
'We are slightly worried about our batting order. But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now," he said.
'I won't say we (CSK) slacked off (in IPL 2025). But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to plug those in," he added.
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Dhoni's comment still doesn't provide any clarity regarding his future, but it is now absolutely clear that he is not fit to play cricket. With this, the CSK management should start thinking about a future without Dhoni, as they have already pushed him well beyond his limits.
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