For the past few years, one topic of discussion in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp has been the future of MS Dhoni. Dhoni, 44, is nearing the end of his IPL career but still gets a warm welcome whenever he steps out on the field in Chepauk.
He got a similar reception from the fans when he walked into the stadium during the CSK Roar 2026 event in Chennai on Sunday.
Dhoni engaged in a fun conversation with Kollywood actor Sivakarthikeyan during the event on Sunday and the actor suggested that Dhoni could play till his 60s.
MS Dhoni’s funny reply to Sivakarthikeyan
“You can play till 60 too sir,” Sivakarthikeyan told the former CSK captain. Dhoni, as always, was calm with his answer and said, “It is very difficult.”
“I think it’s easy with your fitness,” replied Sivakarthikeyan. “It’s on the way down, it’s not on the way up… I can try,” replied the ranch-born cricketer as his reply drew a roar from the fans. “We have received a reply,” replied Sivakarthikeyan.
Dhoni has played in every season of the IPL since the inaugural edition in 2008. He has played for CSK in all but two seasons, in 2016 and 2017, when the franchise was banned due to spot-fixing.
He played for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 and 2017 before returning to CSK in 2018. The wicketkeeper led the Yellow Brigade to five IPL titles, with the last in 2023. He relinquished the CSK captaincy ahead of the 2024 season, handing over to Gajwadtur.
In total, Dhoni played 272 matches for Chennai Super Kings and scored 5,314 runs, including 23 half-centuries. ‘Thala’ is CSK’s second highest run-getter behind ‘Chinna Thala’ Suresh Raina, who finished his career with 5,529 runs from 200 matches.
CSK narrowly missed out on the 2024 IPL playoffs after finishing fifth and endured a disappointing campaign in 2025 when they finished 10th and last.
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side will begin their IPL 2026 campaign with a match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati on March 30. It will be Sanju Samson’s first game in CSK colors as he prepares to face his former side, RR.
Samson completed a trade move from RR to CSK, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran going the other way. However, Curran will miss IPL 2026 due to injury.
