Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming said he was unaware of the rumours surrounding MS Dhoni’s retirement that dominated social media on Saturday, April 5. Speaking to the press after CSK suffered their second successive home defeat of the IPL 2025 season, this time to Delhi Capitals, Fleming said he continues to enjoy working with the former captain, who struggled to find fluency during CSK’s unsuccessful chase of 204.
In the lead-up to CSK’s home fixture against Delhi Capitals, speculation was rife that MS Dhoni would announce his retirement after the much-anticipated clash. The rumours intensified when visuals emerged of Dhoni’s parents watching an IPL match in Chennai for the first time. His wife, Sakshi, and daughter, Ziva, were also spotted in the stands, fuelling talk of a possible farewell for the Super Kings’ iconic superstar.
“I have no idea. I’m just enjoying working with him still. He is still going strong. I don’t even ask [about his future] these days,” Stephen Fleming said.
Fleming’s remarks came hours after CSK appeared to shut down the retirement rumours with a humorous meme on social media. Dhoni has looked a shadow of his former self in the ongoing IPL 2025 season, finding it difficult to consistently clear the ropes. Earlier in the season, Fleming confirmed that Dhoni would be utilised purely as a late-overs finisher.
The chatter around Dhoni’s future gained momentum on Friday after CSK batting coach Michael Hussey hinted that the 43-year-old might captain the side if Ruturaj Gaikwad failed to recover in time from an elbow injury sustained during the match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati last Sunday.
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However, Ruturaj Gaikwad was declared fit ahead of the clash and led the Super Kings on Saturday.
Nothing seemed to go Chennai Super Kings’ way as they slumped to a humbling 25-run defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals. On a two-paced surface, CSK were sloppy in the field and ordinary with the ball. Ruturaj’s captaincy drew scrutiny as he opted not to complete the full quota of overs from his spinners—R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Noor Ahmed.
KL Rahul’s composed 77 off 51 deliveries, along with valuable cameos from Axar Patel, Abhishek Porel, and Tristan Stubbs, propelled Delhi to a competitive total of 183.
In reply, CSK endured a horror start, losing wickets in the powerplay and collapsing to 72 for 5 by the 11th over. Dhoni walked out to bat at No. 7, but he was unable to revive the chase. In fact, CSK appeared to abandon the pursuit of the target early, limping to 158 for 5 in their full quota of 20 overs.
