Former CSK batter Suresh Raina has noted that MS Dhoni postponed filming sessions ahead of the 2025 IPL season on various occasions with him. The following IPL season will see MS Dhoni participate during his 18th season while being 43 years old.
The team paid ₹4 crores to retain the renowned batsman-wicketkeeper as a “uncapped player” prior to the IPL 2025 auction. Dhoni’s final appearances last year lit the stage on fire, even though he doesn’t play competitive cricket outside of the IPL. In 2024, the former captain of CSK amassed 161 runs with a strike rate of over 220, getting dismissed just three times.
Speaking to India Today, JioStar expert Suresh Raina discussed MS Dhoni’s capacity to stay healthy and perform at a high level despite his advanced age.
“Everyone talks about his fitness, his wicketkeeping skills, and his captaincy. But not many have noticed how much power he generates from his bat lift. He always emphasized going to Chennai one month prior to the season. When I was playing for India and CSK, we made sure we cancelled shoots to go to Chennai. We batted for three hours every day. Every week, we used to practise for four to five days. Then, in the remaining two days, we would do match simulations.”
Suresh Raina
He added:
“On those rough pitches, we used to play spinners. Last year, he hit many sixes. He looks very strong, and he is very, very determined to perform for CSK. The team looks very strong from one to six. He will get two or three years. I think this year too, we will see Thala’s helicopters.”
Suresh Raina
From 2008 until 2021 Dhoni and Raina spent together as they brought CSK victory with four championship wins during 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021. Then in 2024 Ruturaj Gaikwad took over captainship from Dhoni who had steered CSK to their fifth and current championship victory in 2023.
Suresh Raina Confirms MS Dhoni’s Finisher Role for IPL 2025
MS Dhoni will continue to be CSK’s finisher in the 2025 IPL season, according to Suresh Raina. During the majority of the previous season, the seasoned wicketkeeper played at Nos. 7 and 8, hitting 14 boundaries and 13 maximums in 73 deliveries faced.
“Definitely, he will play the finisher’s role. He will have his plans for this season. He is the oldest player in the IPL this year, but he has different things going on in his mind. His fitness is still supreme.”
Suresh Raina
Surprisingly, CSK finished fifth in the standings and missed out on playoff qualifying despite MS Dhoni’s brilliant last overs.
With the signing of Ravichandran Ashwin and Noor Ahmad, they have strengthened their spin-bowling division while keeping the majority of their 2023 championship team.
On Sunday, March 23, CSK will play their home opener against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2025 season.
