Is MS Dhoni retiring from IPL 2026? 5 Reasons why the legend might finally hang up his gloves|anubhab
Is MS Dhoni retiring from IPL 2026? 5 Reasons why the legend might finally hang up his gloves
One question does rounds amongst the fans: Will Dhoni be playing IPL 2026, or is it time to give him a rest?
Let's look at the five important reasons why Dhoni
might finally call it a day, drawing inferences from his career statistics,
fitness updates, and his growing interests off the field.
Reason 1: Age and Career Fatigue
Come 2026, MS Dhoni will turn 45, an age when most
professional cricketers have long hung their boots. After nearly two decades of
elite cricket and unmatched leadership, even the strongest of bodies begin to
call for rest.
The Physical Demands of T20 Cricket
It cannot be easy, even for Dhoni, keeping wickets,
taking quick singles, and finishing games under pressure. The skill never dies,
as he proved with 161 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 220.83 in IPL
2024, but the physical grind of T20s is merciless.
The former Indian great Rahul Dravid retired at 39,
citing fatigue. Dhoni, meanwhile, has played almost nonstop cricket since 2004
and faces similar strains on body and mind.
The Shift to Mentorship Roles
Experts say it is a sign that slowly but surely
Dhoni's focus is shifting. Former India coach Ravi Shastri once said,
"Dhoni's brain is gold for young players."
This year, in the 2024 season of IPL, captain cool
took a visible backseat from leadership to mentoring some of CSK's young stars.
The signs are clear: he may be ready to trade the gloves for a clipboard.
Takeaway:
Fans:
·
Observe his post-match gestures and body
language; they might give away a hint about his future intentions.</li>
Aspiring players:
·
like Dhoni, build stamina and longevity
early on if you want to play deep into your 40s.
Reason 2: Family Time Over Spotlight
For all his fame, Dhoni has always cherished his
privacy and family. Couple this with 20-odd years into the sport, he should be
allowed more time at home distanced from the constant glare of the spotlight.
An intense love towards his wife and daughter
His bonding with wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva is
for everybody to see. In 2024, he skipped promotional events, going on a quiet
family vacation — something quite unimaginable for a celebrity of his stature.
It just shows where his heart truly is.
Even Sachin Tendulkar, cricket's "God,"
cut his tours short to be able to spend more time with family toward the tail
end of his career. Dhoni looks prepared for that phase.
The Quest for Normalcy
All of 44, Dhoni is said to like his simple
pleasures: farming, pets and quiet days back home in Ranchi. "Dhoni wants
to be a full-time dad now," says a BCCI insider.That change in priorities
is reflected in his reduced game count during the 2024 season.
Takeaway:
Fans:
·
Love him for his decision, pour love on
him, and messages that appreciate his family-first approach.
Players:
· Remember a balanced life off of the field
prolongs the happiness on it.
Reason 3: Medical History and Previous Injuries
Dhoni has fought off his injuries time and again
with sheer willpower. Recurring knee problems might finally be catching up.
Chronic Knee Complaints
Ever since his 2019 World Cup injury, Dhoni's knees
have been a talking point. He had undergone surgery in the year 2018 and was
able to return stronger, but the toll is visible. In IPL 2024, he often batted
lower in the order to conserve energy.On the other hand, in games such as this
one, against RCB, he was seen limping-a painful reminder that even legends are
human.
Risk of New Blowbacks
T20 cricket is brutally fast. As one sports
physician put it, "At his age, one awkward twist could end a season."
Even Virat Kohli took short breaks in 2023 to recover from minor niggles. For
Dhoni, the risk is much higher now.
Takeaway:
Fans:
·
Keep an eye on CSK's medical updates for
hints over availability of Dhoni.
Reason 4: New interests and business
ventures
MS Dhoni has never been just a cricketer. He is a
bike aficionado, entrepreneur, farmer, and mentor-all roles that perhaps run
deeper now than the roar of a stadium crowd.
Passion for bikes and adventure
Dhoni's garage is stuff of legend-from classic
Yamahas to top-of-the-line Ducatis. As recently as 2024, he spent much of the
off-season biking through hills and countryside with his love for adventure and
freedom.
This is a passion he can finally indulge without cricket's
choc-a-bloc calendar. Like Yuvraj Singh, who moved into commentary and
philanthropy, Dhoni seems ready to chase new thrills.
Travelling business empire
Off the field, Dhoni's empire is thriving. His sports
academies and companies in Chennai reportedly raked in over ₹50 crore in
2024.
Takeaway
Fans:
·
Relish Dhoni's multiple other enterprises,
right from the vlogs of his bikes to his farming updates.
Young players:
·
Learn to diversify your interests early, as
Dhoni has done.
Reasons 5: How CSK's Team
Every great leader knows exactly when to pass on the
baton, and Dhoni might just be doing that.
Under his mentorship ,players like ruturaj Gaikwad, shivam dube , and young pacers have blossomed. perhaps now it’s time for
next for the next generation to take full charge.
Final word:
Ms dhoni is more than just a cricketer- he is an
era, an emotion, a symbol of calm leadership. Even if ipl 2026 marks his
farewall, his legacy will live on in every fan’s heart and in every young
cricketer he is inspired.
Dhoni might retire – but the legend “Thala” will
live forever.
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