The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is little over a month away as the world’s biggest T20 league is set to kick off on March 22 (Saturday) in Kolkata. One of the biggest faces of the IPL as well as the Indian cricket, MS Dhoni, is once again set to don the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jersey. A month ahead of IPL 2025, the former India and CSK captain has shared his desire to relish playing cricket with a childlike enthusiasm in the remaining years of his career.


Since retiring from international cricket in 2019, MS Dhoni has faced constant speculation about his IPL retirement ahead of each season. Dhoni, who led the team to multiple ICC trophies, expressed his desire to simply enjoy playing cricket in the remaining years of his career.


“I've retired since 2019, so it will be quite some time. What I've been doing in the meantime is I just want to enjoy cricket for the last, whatever few years, you know, I will be able to play,” PTI quoted Dhoni as saying on Wednesday during the launch of his app powered by Single.id.


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'Want To Enjoy How I Did As A Child': MS Dhoni


Dhoni said that he wants to enjoy cricket like he did as a child, recalling his school days. 


“I want to enjoy it, how I did as a child when I was in school. When I lived in a colony, 4 o'clock (in the afternoon) was sports time, so we'll go and play cricket more often than not. But if the weather doesn't permit, we used to play football. I want to play with the same kind of innocence… (but it is) easier said than done,” he added.


“For me as a cricketer, I always wanted to perform for the Indian cricket team because I've said that in the past also, that not everybody gets a chance to represent the country. For us as cricketers, whenever we went on to the big stage or whenever we were touring, there was a chance for us to win laurels for the country and so for me it was the country that always came first." 


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Dhoni also advised young players to prioritise cricket, emphasizing discipline in sleep and routine. He stressed recognising the right time for friendships and fun, focusing on what benefits their game the most.


“You always need to figure out what is good for you. When I was playing, I made sure that cricket was a whole for me — nothing else mattered. What time I had to sleep? What time I had to get up? What impact it had on (my) cricket, that was the most important thing,” he said.


“You know, all the friendships, the fun, all those can happen later. There is a right time for everything and I felt if you are able to recognise that, that's the best thing you can do (for yourself).”