&w=3840&q=100)
'Doctor only gave a clearance for eyesight': MS Dhoni drops big hint on his IPL 2026 return
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni arranges the field during his team's away match against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 25 May. AP
Former India captain has dropped a fresh hint for Chennai Super Kings fans on his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 return. After a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, where CSK finished last in the points table for the first time ever, many assumed that Dhoni had played his final season.
But the legendary wicketkeeper kept his fans in suspense by not confirming his decision at the end of the season. 'It depends. I have 4-5 months to decide, there's no hurry. Need to keep my body fit. You have to be at your best,' Dhoni said after CSK's final game of IPL 2025.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Dhoni on his IPL future
At a recent event, Dhoni said that his doctor gave him a clearance for his eyesight, but not for the rest of his body. Dhoni has been dealing with a knee injury for the last couple of years and still isn't fully fit. Even during the last season, many people were worried about his fitness, including CSK coaches.
'I just got a tick mark for the next five years I can play cricket. But the only catch is Doc only gave a clearance for eyesight. Body, He didn't gave a clearance for the body. But I cannot play cricket only with my eyes,' Dhoni said.
Next 5 years I will play cricket
Thala latest interview 😂🥺❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/ptPIwfuBkd — Bhuvan 🦁 (@bhuvanChari007) August 2, 2025
Dhoni, who was retained for Rs 4 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, played all 14 matches this season and scored 196 runs. He even returned as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury, but CSK couldn't avoid a poor finish. However, Dhoni is hopeful about the team's future.
'We are slightly worried about our batting order. But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now," he said.
'I won't say we (CSK) slacked off (in IPL 2025). But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to plug those in," he added.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Dhoni's comment still doesn't provide any clarity regarding his future, but it is now absolutely clear that he is not fit to play cricket. With this, the CSK management should start thinking about a future without Dhoni, as they have already pushed him well beyond his limits.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
High Court takes BIG decision on Kohli's RCB teammate Yash Dayal in minor's rape case
Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal. (PIC - X) New Delhi: The Rajasthan High Court has dismissed a stay on the arrest of Virat Kohli's RCB teammate, fast bowler Yash Dayal in the case of the rape of a minor girl. What were the rulings of the High Court? The court held that as the victim is a minor, no interim relief is possible to the accused cricketer against arrest. Justice Sudesh Bansal hearing the case in Jaipur also ordered the case diary and fixed the next hearing on August 22. What did Yash Dayal's attorney say? Yash Dayal's lawyer, Kunal Jaiman, in the course of the hearing contended that the case was a part of a bigger conspiracy to tarnish the image of the cricketer. He contended that the same case of rape had previously been lodged in Ghaziabad, which was stayed by the Allahabad High Court. 'Just seven days after that, another FIR was registered in Jaipur. A gang seems to be involved in blackmailing by filing such cases,' Yash Dayal's lawyer alleged. What is the Jaipur case? But Sanganer police station in-charge Anil Jaiman revealed the Jaipur case details, adding that the complainant, who was a minor at the time of the incident, had met Yash Dayal while watching a cricket match. She then blamed Yash Dayal for sexually assaulting her nearly two years ago on the assurance of assisting her in her cricket career. The police also said Yash Dayal raped the girl for the second time in Sitapura hotel, Jaipur, during the season of IPL 2025 after the girl was invited to the room by Yash Dayal. Since the girl was 17-years-old at the time of the first rape, an FIR was registered under Sections of IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Interestingly, Dayal had earlier created a commotion by claiming to have posted communal content on his Instagram handle two years back. He later clarified that while two contentious reports were posted from his account, but he did not post them from his account.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
HC declines interim relief to cricketer Dayal in rape case
1 2 Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court Wednesday declined to grant interim relief to 27-year-old cricketer Yash Dayal, who is facing allegations of raping a minor. The court refused to stay his arrest or halt police proceedings in the case. Justice Sudesh Bansal, while hearing Dayal's plea, observed that since the survivor was a minor when the alleged incident first took place, no protection from arrest could be considered at this stage. The court has called for the case diary from city police and listed the matter for further hearing on Aug 22. Yash Dayal, a fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh and a member of Royal Challengers Bangalore, the current IPL champion team, was accused of sexually assaulting the girl when she was 17. According to the survivor's lawyer, the incident occurred about two years ago, when she was a minor. It was also alleged that Dayal called the girl to a hotel in Sitapura during IPL-2025 and raped her again. Sanganer Sadar police registered the case on July 23. As per the petition, the survivor introduced herself as a cricketer and came in contact with Dayal in connection with her sporting career. She alleged that Dayal promised her help with professional opportunities in exchange for sexual favours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Limited Time iPhone Deals (Save Big) on the Latest Models! SearchPad Undo During the hearing, Dayal's counsel, Kunal Jaiman, argued that another case from a different complainant was filed in Ghaziabad, and the Allahabad High Court stayed proceedings in that matter. He further alleged that the complainant in Ghaziabad and that in Jaipur were in collision and a group was trying to blackmail Dayal by filing coordinated cases against him.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
After players, referees feel ISL stalemate heat
Contracted till Aug 31, professional referees have told the AIFF that the lack of clarity over the season could force them to seek alternative employment Panaji: It's not just the players, officials and support staff who are sweating due to the uncertainty swirling around Indian football . TOI has learnt that nine match officials -- including three FIFA referees and three FIFA assistant referees -- contracted with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on full-time basis, have told the federation that the lack of clarity over the season could force them to seek alternative employment. According to sources, the referees receive a fixed monthly payment of Rs 80,000 from the AIFF, besides Rs 20,000 for every match they officiate in the top tier. Assistant referees are paid Rs 60,000 as fixed sum and Rs 15,000 in match fees. 'Many of us have dedicated ourselves fully to this role, even stepping away from other professional opportunities in order to focus solely on refereeing at the highest level,' the referees said in their letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey on Tuesday. 'The lack of certainty regarding continuation of ISL has created uncertainty around our future and could compel us to seek alternative employment, which would not only impact our livelihoods but also affect the continuity and development of professional refereeing in India. ' Contracted till August 31, the referees have asked the AIFF to 'consider extending our contracts at the earliest, so we may continue contributing to Indian football with full focus and commitment.' Indian football is facing an unprecedented crisis due to uncertainty over the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) with FSDL, the federation's marketing partners, keeping the season on hold 'until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond the end of current MRA term' on Dec 8 this year. AIFF has said its hands are tied due to an oral order from the Supreme Court that bars them from taking any decision on the renewal of the contract until the final order. Clubs, worried, are hoping that they will have some clarity after their meeting with Chaubey on Thursday. While eight clubs had officially sought an appointment, four more are expected to join hands and seek clarity. Sources said two senior FSDL officials will attend the meeting in the Capital. The meeting comes amid growing concern over the future of several clubs. Odisha FC, 'after careful and thorough consideration, and in alignment with the evolving situation,' suspended all player and staff contracts with effect from August 5, while Bengaluru FC – captained by India legend Sunil Chhetri -- said they are 'constrained to temporarily suspend all remuneration payments to all players and technical staff, with immediate effect. ' Constrained by circumstances, Chennaiyin FC were the latest to suspend all activities of the club on Wednesday. 'All clubs are constantly in touch with both, FSDL and AIFF, to keep us apprised on any developments, hoping that the impasse will be resolved sooner than later,' the club's general manager Ekansh Gupta told all players and technical staff via email on Wednesday. 'We are also keeping an eye on the Supreme Court's listing of the AIFF matter. All of us in the ecosystem are doing everything we can to ensure a positive outcome. '
