At 43, MS Dhoni continues to defy age and expectations, remaining an indispensable force behind the stumps for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Known for his lightning-fast reflexes and unmatched game awareness, Dhoni pulled off yet another stunning stumping in CSK’s season opener against Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23. Despite stepping away from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni’s presence on the field remains crucial, both as a wicketkeeper and as a strategist guiding his team.
Now, in a candid conversation on JioHotstar’s ‘MS Dhoni Experience’, the legendary keeper shared his insights on why he still prefers to be behind the stumps, downplayed his incredible catches, and even addressed questions about his future in IPL.
MS Dhoni on his role in the team
Dhoni, known for his sharp cricketing mind, emphasized that being behind the stumps is where he reads the game best. From judging pitch behavior to assessing a bowler’s rhythm, Dhoni explained that wicketkeeping allows him to analyze match situations in real-time and provide crucial inputs to the captain.
“It’s a challenge, and that’s what makes it interesting. If I’m not wicketkeeping, I think I’m useless on the field. That’s where I read the game in the best possible manner. I have to be really close to the action—to see how the bowler is bowling, how the wicket is behaving, and what changes need to be made,” Dhoni said.
Dhoni further elaborated that his positioning behind the stumps helps differentiate between bad deliveries being punished and good deliveries being hit for runs—something that even the bowlers might struggle to analyze immediately.
“In the first six overs with the new ball, the wicket behaves differently. After that, has it changed or it remains the same, all these things, when I’m right behind the stump, I’m in a better position to judge what really is happening and then to convey to the captain as to this is what is happening, whether it’s a bad delivery that has gone for a 6 or it’s a good delivery that the batsman has hit for a 6. I can differentiate between the two when I’m behind the stumps,” the 43-year-old said.
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Dhoni on his wicketkeeping skills
When shown a clip from IPL 2024 where he took a diving catch against Gujarat Titans, Dhoni brushed off the hype, humorously calling it a fluke. Despite downplaying his own efforts, the reality remains that Dhoni’s agility and quick reflexes continue to set him apart from younger keepers in the league. His effortless stumping of Suryakumar Yadav in the MI game was yet another reminder of his enduring brilliance.
“It’s a fluke. If you closely monitor it, it feels like a sack of rice falling from the back of a truck. The whole thing is if we can reach with two hands, I’ve always been a fan of trying to take catches with two hands, and it helps. So it always feels good if you can contribute like this. But I’m not somebody who you would see dive around a lot or to take those, you know, great catches, one-handed great catches. I’m quite a safekeeper. I like to keep it that,” the former CSK captain added.
Dhoni on his IPL future for CSK
For years, fans have speculated about when MS Dhoni will retire from the IPL, but the CSK legend himself remains unbothered by the constant chatter. Speaking ahead of CSK’s clash against MI, Dhoni playfully addressed his commitment to the franchise.
“I can play for as long as I want for CSK. That’s my franchise. Even if I’m in a wheelchair, they’ll drag me,” Dhoni concluded.
With one win already in the bag, CSK will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28. As always, all eyes will be on MS Dhoni – not just for his glove work but also for his sharp captaincy insights that continue to shape CSK’s success. At 43, Dhoni might not be the same swashbuckling hitter from his prime, but his presence behind the stumps remains as influential as ever. Whether it’s through his game awareness, lightning-quick dismissals, or tactical brilliance, MS Dhoni is far from done – and as he says himself, CSK won’t let him retire anytime soon!
