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MS Dhoni's fitness concerns leads to heated debate between former India cricketers: 'Is he fit or not?'
MS Dhoni's fitness concerns, especially his limited mobility between the wickets since undergoing a knee surgery two years ago, has been a major talking point in the 2025 Indian Premier League especially since it has co-incided with Chennai Super Kings finishing at the bottom of the table. read more
MS Dhoni's fitness has been a major talking point in the 2025 Indian Premier League , in which Chennai Super Kings concluded their campaign on Sunday by finishing at the bottom of the table for the first time ever.
The legendary Chennai Super Kings wicketkeeper-batter finished the season with 196 runs in 14 appearances at a strike rate of 135.17. The point of concern for experts as well as fans this season, however, was the fact that Dhoni was facing only a handful of deliveries at the crease, presumably due to his limited mobility between the wickets since undergoing a knee surgery in 2023.
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Dhoni had even sent Ravichandran Ashwin to bat ahead of him with the team in a dire situation during their chase of a 197-run target set by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk in the last week of March. 'Thala' eventually walked out to bat at No 9 , at which point the target already was beyond the five-time champions' reach.
Raina, Chopra engage in heated argument over Dhoni's fitness
It is therefore, understandable for experts and fans to have their concerns regarding Dhoni's future in the world's biggest T20 league, which prides itself not only for being the richest T20 league but for also having some of the best players in the world, which translates to the highest quality of cricketing action compared to other leagues.
Suresh Raina, Dhoni's former India and CSK teammate, however, isn't a fan of such discussions and continues to defend 'Captain Cool' despite his poor run as batter as well as captain this season.
Raina and former India pacer RP Singh were panellists on The Big Debate on Star Sports who were in favour of Dhoni continuing to operate the way he did in the 18th IPL season, while ex-India opener Aakash Chopra and former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar were on the other side of the debate, questioning whether 'MSD' should continue going ahead.
Also Read | Harsh words for Dhoni after CSK finish at bottom of table: ''You have overstayed your welcome'
'If MS Dhoni wasn't an uncapped Indian, would he have been a part of the CSK team this year?' asked Chopra during the debate, to which Raina replied, 'Absolutely, he has been with the team for 18 years. Even now, he hits the most sixes.'
Chopra, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first two IPL seasons in 2008 and 2009, followed up to Raina's response by pointing his finger at Dhoni batting between Nos 7 to 9 and questioning why a player of his stature shouldn't be batting higher up the order.
'He feels he is more comfortable in the final four overs. He is fit, keeping wickets at the age of 44. He did an interview in the middle, saying a team for the World Cup (T20) is being made, hence he wants to give others like Shivam Dube more chances,' Raina said in response, referring to last year's T20 World Cup that took place right after the IPL.
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'After a knee surgery, he is bound to take time. Every player does. He has been keeping for 20 years, manages himself. Raina also had a knee operation done. He managed himself for some time and eventually recovered,' Singh added.
Watch the debate here:
Things get a little heated in the studio during #TheBigDebate! 🔥
What's your take on #CaptainCool's batting position this season? 💬
Watch him #OneLastTime 👉 GTvCSK | SUN, 25th MAY, 2:30 PM on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/uUWwUqK69I — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 25, 2025
Dhoni, meanwhile, remained tight-lipped on his future as a cricketer when the question inevitably came up during the post-match presentation ceremony in CSK's final game of the season, against Gujarat Titans in the afternoon clash of the Sunday double-header in Ahmedabad.
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'I have four-five months to decide, there's no hurry. Need to keep the body fit. You have to be at your best. If cricketers start retiring for their performance, some of them will retire at 22.
'Will go back to Ranchi, enjoy a few bike rides. I am not saying I am done, not saying I am coming back either. I have the luxury of timing. Will think about it and then decide,' Dhoni said after guiding his team to an 83-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium .
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