 "Experts feel MS Dhoni cannot play in IPL 2026 due to his poor fitness. Image: Reuters")
Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth and ex-cricketer Sanjay Bangar have questioned MS Dhoni’s fitness and feel that it is time for the legendary Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain to “move on” from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhoni has won the IPL five times as captain with CSK and is currently captaining them once again in the absence of injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, however, his return to the leadership role has failed to inspire the team as they have been knocked out of the IPL 2025 without much fight.
LIVE | India squad for England Tour: Pant joins Gill and Bumrah in three-horse captaincy race
CSK are currently at the bottom of the IPL points table with just three wins from 13 matches and under Dhoni’s captaincy, they have won just two out of eight matches in the 2025 season. CSK coach Stephen Fleming recently refused to delve into Dhoni’s possible future at the franchise and even the Ranchi cricketer has kept his fans guessing.
‘Dhoni’s reflexes has gone down’
But the truth is that Dhoni will turn 44 in July and another season of IPL is surely going to be difficult for him. Srikkanth, who was part of the Indian team that won the 1983 World Cup, said that Dhoni’s fitness has come down drastically and as a result, he is struggling in the tournament.
“Dhoni is also ageing, you can’t expect too much from him. But at the same time, you can’t keep coming and messing it up, if you are not able to do it, say you’re not able to do it and walk away. That’s a call Dhoni can only take. Whether he will continue, if he continues, then in what role: captain, wicket keeper or finisher? In all fairness, his reflexes has gone down. His knees might have given up, his fitness, reflex level everything will obviously come down. And moreover, the top order is flopping” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“The problem with CSK today is that Dhoni is not able to replicate his own game. Spinners are tying him down. Once, he used to hit off spinners 10 rows into the stands. In all fairness, he is struggling,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts‘If I was Dhoni, I would say it’s enough’
On ESPNCricinfo, former India batter Bangar said that if he were Dhoni, he would retire after the IPL 2025, as playing at the age of 43 is tough, even at a school level.
“At 43, it’s very tough to play in that competitive environment. Leave aside this competitive environment, but even if you go and play some local cricket, you will find how tough it is on the body,” Bangar said.
“It all boils down to MS, but if I was MS, I would say it’s enough. I have played whatever I wanted to play; I have looked after the interest of the franchise as well – if that was the motivation – but you know, you move on,” he added.
CSK’s last IPL 2025 league match is against already-qualified Gujarat Titans (GT) on 25 May. It could well prove to be Dhoni’s final IPL game.