New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan hopes legendary MS Dhoni will play another season for the franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Viswanathan believes Dhoni still has enough cricket left in him despite being 45.
The CSK talisman missed the entire IPL 2026 season due to injuries. However, the franchise CEO believes that the former captain will try to play at least one more season for the franchise before calling it quits. When asked about Dhoni’s status, Viswanathan said the final decision rests on the shoulders of the former captain.
“It’s a question you need to ask him. I also have to ask him. He informs us of his decision when he arrives in Chennai. I have a feeling that the chances of him continuing to play for CSK are there. He is still a player, you know,” Kasi Viswanathan told local media in Chennai recently.
IPL 2026 was expected to be Dhoni’s farewell campaign for CSK. However, the 45-year-old wicket-keeper batter didn’t play a single match for the franchise throughout the tournament due to multiple injury concerns. He remained with the team throughout the tournament and took part in training sessions but didn’t play a game.
Dhoni was retained by CSK as an uncapped player for only Rs 4 crore ahead of IPL 2024 to protect their purse as Ruturaj Gaikwad became the full-time captain of the franchise. However, things have not gone the way the five-time champions would have expected as they have failed to make it to the playoffs for last three seasons in a row.
Suresh Raina wants Dhoni to play another season
Meanwhile, Dhoni’s close friend and former CSK teammate Suresh Raina wants the legendary wicket-keeper batter to play another season of the IPL. Raina had earlier revealed he requested Dhoni to return for IPL 2027, insisting that the 2026 season would not count as his final season.
“I told him you have given IPL 2026 a missed call. It won’t count. You have to come back next year,” said Raina.
Raina also revealed Dhoni’s concerns about his body not holding up for professional cricket at the age of 45. However, the former CSK batter said he requested Dhoni to come back in IPL 2027 despite fitness concerns.
“He said, ‘Nahi yaar, body thoda waisa hai’ (No man, the body is a bit like that). I said we are not believing anything. You have to play next year,” Raina recalled.