"Very hopeful that he will be available for CSK next year": CEO Viswanathan on MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni (Pic: File Pic)

Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan said he is "very, very hopeful" of MS Dhoni featuring in the IPL 2025 as a player.

Under MS Dhoni's leadership, CSK lifted the Indian showpiece five times. The veteran stepped down from the captaincy before the start of the IPL 2024 and handed over all the responsibilities to Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK ended the IPL 2024 in the fifth place under Gaikwad's leadership.

CSK after facing a defeat in the IPL 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, speculations raised around MS Dhoni's last appearance in the cash-rich league. But the franchise's CEO Vishwanathan said that it is totally up to Dhoni to take the final call on his future.

"I do not know. It is a question which only MS can answer. The question for us, we have always respected the decisions taken by MS. We have left it to him," he said to a question on CSK's YouTube channel.

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"As all of you know, he has always taken his decisions and announced them at the appropriate time. We do expect that we will get a decision as and when he decides.

"But we are very, very hopeful that he will be available for CSK the next year. That is the view and expectations of the fans and mine."

Dhoni, who had undergone surgery to treat a knee injury issue last year, scored 161 runs in 73 balls at a strike rate of 220.55 in the IPL 2024. He was also good at donning the Big Gloves.

A mega IPL auction has been scheduled for later in the year and if Dhoni continues, CSK will undoubtedly be retaining him. However, the number of players allowed to be retained still needs clarity.

Viswanathan said that discussions are yet to take place on the same with the BCCI. "It is too early because we have still not heard from BCCI on the kind of retentions which are going to be part of the next cycle of auction.

"So we are expecting that the BCCI would discuss with all franchise owners before they take a decision on retention."

(With PTI Inputs)