'Make sure this old vintage vehicle is running well on the road': MS Dhoni shares cryptic message on his IPL future with CSK originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- MS Dhoni hinted that he will decide on another IPL season before December.
- He missed all of IPL 2026 because of a calf problem and fitness concerns.
- CSK finished eighth in IPL 2026 after ending last in 2025 under Ruturaj Gaikwad.
'Decision before December': MS Dhoni breaks silence on CSK future & retirement timeline
MS Dhoni described himself as an old vintage vehicle that needs to keep running smoothly on the road while talking about his Indian Premier League future.
The former India captain suggested a final decision on whether he plays one more season could come before December, though he stopped well short of a clear answer.
The World Cup-winning former India captain was speaking at a healthcare event in Bengaluru on Saturday, where he was asked whether he would like to have another go at the IPL. He missed the whole of IPL 2026 because of fitness issues, mainly linked to his calf, so the question was significant.
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He first turned to the doctor on stage and made it clear that his body would have to clear a proper check before anything is decided.
“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," he said.
The wicketkeeper-batter then moved to a second scenario, in which he isn’t strong enough to carry on. In typical Dhoni fashion, he put the responsibility on the people looking after his health, and he compared himself to a machine that requires careful maintenance.
He added: “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.”
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | On his IPL future, Former Indian Cricket Team Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni says, "I'll have to go through the tests. You'll have to give me the report, and before December, I'll need to assess how strong I am and whether I can play one more season. If I'm not fit enough, then you'll have to make sure you do everything right to get this old vintage vehicle running smoothly on the road..." (24.10)
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2026
MS Dhoni's diminishing influence on CSK
Dhoni’s place in the CSK batting order has diminished over the last two years. He now walks in during the slog overs, with the task of lifting the total and showing fans a glimpse of the trademark power-hitting that made him famous.
However, the team’s results have slipped since Ruturaj Gaikwad took over the captaincy in 2024. CSK ended at the bottom of the table in IPL 2025, and they improved only slightly in IPL 2026 by finishing eighth.
Their last IPL title came in 2023, when Dhoni was still leading the side, which is a reminder of how much has changed in a short time.
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Dhoni’s decision matters for CSK far beyond one more season
Dhoni’s remarks were funny, but they also revealed a lot about where CSK stand right now. The franchise has been built around his presence for so long that any talk of another season sends a ripple through the fan base, and his call before December will shape how the team plans for the next mini-auction and beyond.
A side that has finished at the bottom and then eighth in successive years can’t afford to drift while waiting for an answer.
There is a fair argument that Dhoni’s final-overs role still has value, given his numbers and the way he is greeted at every ground. However, it is hard to ignore that a missed season and a stubborn calf injury raise doubts about how much he can still give.
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Supporters would probably prefer to see him leave on his own terms rather than push through another year of struggle.
Whichever way he goes, CSK need a clear plan under Gaikwad that does not rely on one man’s decision. The captain has had two difficult seasons, and the team’s identity has to grow beyond the legend who built it.
If Dhoni returns, he should do so fully fit and with a defined purpose. If he doesn’t, the club must be ready to turn the page with confidence.
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