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MS Dhoni (Source: AFP)
On Tuesday, July 7, MS Dhoni turned 45 and celebrated the day in a special manner by attending the third T20I of the current ongoing five-match series between India and England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
The former India captain was spotted watching the IND vs ENG 3rd T20I match from the stands and made a gesture towards a fan that indicated his future in the IPL.
It is important to note that MS Dhoni has stayed out of the spotlight in recent months, especially after missing the entire IPL 2026 season due to injury.
Throughout the tournament, fans hoped to see him return to action, but the CSK legend was unable to regain full fitness.
MS Dhoni's Injury Setback Ruled Him Out Of IPL 2026
In the tournament’s 19-year history, it was the first time in IPL 2026 that Dhoni did not play a single match. The CSK star was ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to multiple injuries.
Dhoni's problems began before the start of the tournament when he suffered a muscle injury and a serious calf strain during a CSK training session.
The franchise initially announced that he would miss the opening phase of the competition (2 weeks) while undergoing rehabilitation.
Also Read: MS Dhoni Done With CSK, IPL 2026 Last
As his recovery continued, Dhoni chose not to travel with the squad, making it clear he would return only when he felt completely fit. However, his comeback kept getting delayed.
Later in the season, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey revealed that Dhoni was also dealing with a thumb injury in addition to the calf problem.
The team remained hopeful that he could return if they qualified for the playoffs, but that opportunity never came as CSK failed to secure a place in the knockout stage.
MS Dhoni Gives Honest Fitness Update During Viral Fan Interaction
During the third T20I between India and England, MS Dhoni’s presence at Trent Bridge delighted fans. Several supporters wished him a happy birthday, and the veteran wicketkeeper responded with a smile and a warm gesture.
One particular moment quickly became the talk of the town when a fan requested him to play again. Dhoni thanked the supporters before making a gesture towards his white beard, stating that he had grown older.
He also indicated that he is still unable to run properly because of his injury. The brief exchange was captured on video and soon spread widely across social media.
Watch The Video Here:
Will MS Dhoni Play in IPL 2027?
At present, there is no official confirmation about Dhoni's IPL future. The decision will depend entirely on his fitness and whether he feels ready to compete again in IPL 2027.
CSK remain optimistic, but Dhoni's video clearly hints that he might not play in IPL 2027.
The franchise, after IPL 2026, stated, "My understanding is that he will come back next season," Kasi Viswanathan, CSK CEO, told Cricbuzz.
"We have not spoken to him about this, but we hope he will come back. We also hope he keeps his promise to the CSK fans that he will play his last IPL game in Chennai."
It would be interesting to see whether he can regain full fitness before next year’s IPL. However, even if he does make a comeback, it may be difficult for him to play an entire season, with a limited number of appearances looking like the more realistic possibility.
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