Will Thala play in IPL 2025?

Will Mahendra Singh Dhoni play in IPL 2025? This is the big question on the minds of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans as the franchise awaits confirmation of Thala’s availability.

According to CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, Dhoni is yet to confirm his availability, but Viswanathan expects Dhoni to feature in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.

“We still have no confirmation from him, although we would like him to continue playing with us. I hope he will confirm before the 31st,” Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo.

With about a week to go before the October 31 deadline for all IPL teams to submit their list of retained players, all eyes are on Dhoni.

Franchise CSK may reportedly retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, after the IPL brought back a rule that allows Indian players who have retired from international cricket for five years to enter the auction as ‘uncapped’ players “. The rule, which started in 2008, had been scrapped in 2021.

The 43-year-old Dhoni has been dealing with knee problems in recent times. If CSK retains him as an uncapped player, the franchise will have to spend Rs 4 crore from its Rs 120 crore purse.

CSK has won the IPL championship five times. The last time they won in 2023, they equaled Mumbai Indians for the most IPL trophies. Thala, as Dhoni is fondly called by his fans, is an integral part of CSK and IPL history.

Amidst all this, reports have surfaced indicating the possibility of Dhoni playing in the UAE T10 league when he decides.