Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni believes wicketkeeping remains his most valuable role on the field. The 43-year-old says he would feel "useless" without it, as keeping wickets allows him to read the game better. “If I am not wicketkeeping, I feel I am useless on the field because that is where I understand the game in the best way. It is a challenge, and that is what makes it interesting. Over the last few years, I do not know if it has been two years or five years, my franchise has always said, ‘You play as long as you want.’ Even if I am on the chair, they will say, ‘Do not worry, you play.’ I want to enjoy cricket, so I take it one year at a time,” Dhoni said in a video posted by Star Sports on X.
Dhoni has been with CSK since the IPL’s inception, except for two seasons when the team was suspended. Under his leadership, the franchise won five titles and reached ten finals. Last season, he stepped down as captain, handing over the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK started their IPL 2025 campaign with a comfortable win over Mumbai Indians at Chepauk. Though no longer captain, Dhoni remains actively involved in setting the field and guiding Gaikwad during matches. Dhoni has played 265 IPL matches and scored 5,243 runs with 24 half-centuries.
Speaking on The MS Dhoni Experience on JioHotstar, he revealed that Gaikwad had been prepared for leadership well in advance. “After the IPL last year, I almost immediately told him, '90% you will lead next season, so start preparing yourself mentally.' Before the tournament began, I also told him, 'If I give you advice, it doesn’t mean you have to follow it. I will try to stay away as much as possible,'” Dhoni said.
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He dismissed speculation that he was making decisions behind the scenes. “During the season, a lot of people speculated that I was making the decisions in the background. But the fact is, he was making 99% of the decisions. The most important calls – bowling changes, field placements – were all his. I was just helping him out. He did a brilliant job of handling the players,” he added.
CSK will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their second match of the season at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
