'We never asked...': Chennai Super Kings on MS Dhoni's retirement speculations

Amid the speculations surrounding MS Dhoni's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan has provided an update. Dhoni did not hint at his potential retirement following CSK's last match of the season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), leading to specuation that he was planning to come back for one last hurrah.

Viswanathan said there had not been "any discussions" regardingDhoni's future so far, and that the former CSK captain would inform them about his decision at the right time.

“There were no discussions in the dressing room about it. We have never asked him about his future and neither has he said anything about it. When he takes a decision, he will inform us, until then we will not interfere,"Viswanathan toldThe Indian Expressnewspaper.

CSK have to make the tough call on players it wants to hold onto ahead of the mega auctions planned by the BCCI. Since Dhoni is a luxury squad player at this stage in his career, retaining him will be a high risk for the franchise.

If BCCI changes the retention rules and increasesthe number of players a club can retain, it couldpossiblyinfluence Dhoni's decision as to whether or not to come back to play for the cricket-loving Chennai crowd.

Dhoni'sformer CSK teammate Ambati Rayudu has already stated that 'Thala' would be coming back for the 2025 season.

“I don’t think this is his last game. I just don’t see him wanting to end on this note,” Rayudu said on Star Sports. “With the impact player role as well, itgives him the opportunityto be able to come in those last few overs and truly make that impact," said Rayudu.

“BCCI better not remove the impact player role because we still want to see MS Dhoni play. So, it’s up to BCCI now. Do we want to see MS Dhoni play or not,” he added.

Dhoni on his future

Dhoni is a five-time champion with CSK, having led the franchise since its inception till this year when he handed the captaincy armband to Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Quizzed last year about his retirementafter CSK won the final against Gujarat Titans, Dhoni said he wanted to come back for the fans one more time.

Subsequently, Dhoni underwenta kneesurgery and despite playing no professional cricket since then, managed to be one of the most dangerous death-over batters in the league.

If CSK had advanced to the playoffs, Dhoni could have played in front of the home crowd in Chepauk yet again as Qualifier 2 and the final are scheduled to take place in Chennai.

(With inputs from agencies)