The speculations around his retirement have been doing the rounds for several years now, but the veteran has defied the odds and returned to play for CSK. IPL 2026 was the first time since the inception of the league that Dhoni did not play a single game.

“Doc, I will have to go through the test. You will have to give me the report, and then before December, I will have to see, you know, how strong I am to maybe play one more season,”  was quoted as saying by ANI.

Dhoni was speaking at an healthcare event in Bengaluru, and he made a sarcastic remark, saying that if he not fit enough to play the IPL, the doctors will have to ensure that they do everything right with him so that he is back up and running.

“And if I am not, then, you know, you will have to make sure that you do everything right with me and make sure that this old vintage vehicle is running well on the road. So all the pressure is on them.”

Earlier,  CEO Kasi Viswanathan had also shown optimism that Dhoni might play one more season of the IPL.

“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 had said.

Meanwhile, after blowing hot and cold in last few seasons, CSK made a big change and parted ways with Stephen Fleming, with Zaheer Khan taking over the role of the head coach.