MS Dhoni, the iconic captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), remains undeterred by age as he prepares for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. At 43, Dhoni emphasizes that performance, not age, defines a player’s worth in the league.
Retained by CSK ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Dhoni continues to be a pivotal figure for the franchise he has led to five IPL titles. Despite retiring from international cricket nearly six years ago, his commitment to the sport and his team remains unwavering.
Speaking at a recent event, Dhoni addressed the challenges of maintaining peak performance:
“I only play a couple of months in a year, but I want to enjoy it the way I started playing; that’s something that keeps me going. But, of course, for that, I need to put in a lot of hard work for six to eight months because IPL is one of the toughest tournaments. Nobody really cares about how old you are. If you’re playing at this level, the level needs to be the same.”
Dhoni’s journey from Ranchi, a city not traditionally known for producing cricketers, to becoming one of the most successful captains in cricket history, underscores his dedication and passion. Reflecting on his early days, he remarked:
“When I started playing international cricket, for me, the biggest motivation was representing my country. It has always been the country for me because coming from where I came, not known for cricket as a state, once I got a chance, I wanted to contribute.”
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, Dhoni’s focus is on preparation and maintaining the high standards he has set over the years. His leadership and experience are invaluable assets to CSK, a team he has been synonymous with since the league’s inception.
The IPL 2025 is scheduled to run from March 22 to May 25, featuring 10 teams split into two groups, each playing 14 matches during the group stage. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, culminating in the final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Dhoni’s unwavering commitment and perspective on age serve as an inspiration, highlighting that passion and dedication are timeless qualities in sports.
