MS Dhoni: Was IPL 2023 the Right Time for Dhoni to Say Goodbye?

What if Dhoni had retired after IPL 2023’s fairytale ending by winning fifth IPL title in his captaincy? Today, we wouldn’t see a once-great champion shrink into a statistical embarrassment; his 2024 average of 19.25 lags behind even IPL tailenders, his gloves fail him with 7 missed stumpings this season, and his presence stalls CSK’s future while cashing in on nostalgia.

The numbers show a tough truth: since 2023, Dhoni acts like a retired general who won’t let go of his uniform, playing with a strike rate of 122 against spin (down from 145 in his best days) while younger players sit unused.

Is CSK using emotional tricks, or is Dhoni just feeding his ego? Either way, every weak single and missed chance doesn’t save his legacy; it keeps it alive for sponsors. The sad fact is this: 2023 could’ve been a perfect goodbye, where legends leave when people ask, “Why now?” instead of “Why still?”

Dhoni’s Stats Before 2023 vs After 2023

Dhoni has been the best wicket-keeper batter in the history of IPL with the most runs – 5201, catches – 150 and stumpings – 44 (as of 7th April). However, looking at his qualities purely as a batsman show careers of almost two different players.

	Before 2023 (2008-2022)	After 2023 (2023-2025)	Key Insights
Batting Average	40.12	26.33	34% Decline in consistency
Strike Rate	136.85	182.46*	High in losing games
50+ Scores	24 in 234 innings (1 every 9.7 innings)	0 in 19 innings	Last fifty: 2022 (50* vs DC)
6s/Innings	0.96	0.89	2023-24: Reliant on cameos
Wicket-keeping	1.12 dismissals/match	0.73 dismissals/match	35% drop in dismissals
Innings/Session	12-15 full innings	5-8 cameo appearances	Role reduced to 10-15 balls/match

2023

This year proved exceptional for CSK, as they launched their IPL journey despite losing to the IPL 2022 defending champions Gujarat Titans but regained momentum with back-to-back wins, thanks to Dhoni’s outstanding captaincy skills, even though he stopped scoring runs.

This year turned fantastic for Dhoni and presented the perfect moment to say goodbye, with the 5th trophy in his grasp; his skill behind the stumps shone incredibly, as MS Dhoni leads with 149 catches and 45 stumpings as a wicketkeeper, outpacing any other in IPL history; but that departure did not occur. Perhaps Dhoni envisions a different path or fears humiliation until he risks tarnishing his legacy?

2025

In the 2025 IPL season, he has scored 76 runs across four innings, boasting a strike rate of 138.2. Notably, one of those innings included an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls against RCB, though the bulk of those runs were made when the match was already out of hand. Dhoni’s strike rate has dipped below 118 in his other three outings.

These stats above clearly indicate that Dhoni’s peak passed in IPL 2023, and now he merely stretches his time. Is this just a performance for CSK’s PR and a desperate fanbase that craves their ‘Thala’ on the ground- even on a stretcher? Does this culture of heroics truly serve cricket, or does it harm the sport by overshadowing the need to nurture new players for the future?

The Unanswered Question: Why Is Dhoni Still Playing in IPL?

During the toss before a match between Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023, commentator Danny Morrison asked MS Dhoni if he enjoyed his “swansong tour” and if it marked his final IPL. Dhoni responded, “You have decided it is my last IPL, not me.”

On popular YouTuber Raj Shamani’s podcast, Dhoni addressed a question about his retirement with clarity. He stated, “No, not right now. I am still playing the IPL. I have kept it very simple, I take it one year at a time, I am 43, by the time IPL 2025 finishes, I will be 44, so after that I have 10 months to decide if I would play or not. But it is not me deciding, it is my body that decides. So, one year at a time, we will see after that.”

His brand value keeps CSK in the spotlight and benefits sponsors, explaining why he continues playing. In February 2025, he launched ‘DHONI,’ a loyalty fan app that grants fans exclusive access to his life.

His presence also boosts IPL viewership. All these reasons support his decision to keep playing; if he retires, the IPL’s popularity and his brand value might diminish. However, the question persists: Does this justify prioritising over fans’ emotions, his fitness, and other factors?

Dhoni’s Retirement Delay? Here’s What Former Players Really Think?

Many former cricketers believe he should continue playing, and former Australian captain and Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting shared his thoughts at the Indian Express Idea Exchange event: “Look, you are not going to argue with anything CSK do, they are one of the most successful teams in IPL history.”

Ponting explained that it hinges on his batting performance in the ongoing season when asked if he foresees Dhoni retiring amid all the speculation.

He added, “I guess he has played a diminished role in the last couple of years, just coming in for the last 10-12 balls and trying to make a big impact. Dhoni is still dangerous in the IPL.” He also elaborated, “It might just depend on how this season goes. If he can have a real impact with the bat, I think he will keep playing. If his batting output drops, he might start thinking about it.”

CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming has also commented that Dhoni “still goes strong.” He emphasized that ending the latter’s run in the Indian Premier League isn’t a decision he makes.

Dhoni’s former teammate Matthew Hayden holds a different view and took a dig at him, claiming he plays the IPL “unnecessarily.” At an event with ANI, he stated, “Dhoni is playing this IPL unnecessarily. At that age, he should join us in the commentary panel. He should realise before it’s too late.”

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh echoed this criticism and highlighted Dhoni’s poor form with a damning statistic. He commented, “I would like to present some stats. Whenever Dhoni has chased since IPL 2023 in winning causes, he has scored just 3 runs in 9 balls, without a single boundary or six.”

Who Will Step Up for CSK After Dhoni?

Ruturaj Gaikwad stands out as a young, consistent batter and potential future captain, bringing stability to the lineup. Shivam Dube, known for his power-hitting, could also step up and evolve into a leadership role.

Beyond the current squad, CSK might look externally and target an Indian wicketkeeper like Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson in the auctions, leveraging their experience to fill Dhoni’s big shoes.

As noted earlier, Dhoni’s brand value keeps CSK in the spotlight, and his presence spikes IPL viewership. The team must weigh these choices carefully, balancing legacy with the franchise’s long-term future.

Dhoni’s legacy shines brightly and remains tough to surpass. If he had retired in 2023, people would remember him as a clever leader who exited at the ideal time. But by continuing to play, he risks damaging his stellar reputation as his performance declines.

Will CSK’s ‘Thala’ bid farewell before time runs out? Share your thoughts below!

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