Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming shrugged aside the speculations surrounding MS Dhoni’s retirement on Saturday. After CSK’s 25-run loss to Delhi Capitals during the Indian Premier League 2025 match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the Kiwi said ‘he doesn’t even ask Dhoni about his future’.
During the post-match press conference, Fleming said, “I’m just enjoying working with him still. He is still going strong and I don’t even ask him (about Dhoni’s future) these days.”
“It is not my role to put an end to speculations that are being created,” added Fleming.
These assumptions came after Dhoni was expected to lead the team had Ruturaj Gaikwad not been able to play due to an elbow injury sustained during a match against the Rajasthan Royals. However, Gaikwad recovered in time to lead CSK against DC.
With Dhoni’s parents, father Pan Singh and mother Devaki Devi, in attendance at the stadium for Dhoni’s first IPL match in 18 years, speculation that he might call it quits gained traction.
This was CSK’s second loss at home and their third loss of the season as they stay in eighth place in the points table with just two points in four matches.
“Since the last few games it’s not going our way. We are trying to improve, trying our best but not going our way. We lost too many wickets. (Powerplay) It’s a major concern even in the bowling department. We are giving away 15-20 runs extra or losing too many wickets. We are trying but it’s just not happening. (On the team’s woes) I just think that we are slightly over concerned or tentative whoever is bowling in powerplay,” said Gaikwad after the match.
