Virat Kohli hung up his RCB captaincy boots at 32. Mumbai Indians gently nudged Rohit Sharma off the captain’s throne at 35. And then there’s CSK — casually turning back the clock like it’s a Netflix time-travel drama. Enter MS Dhoni, once again donning the captain’s hat… at almost 44.
And in a plot twist no one saw coming, Dhoni became the first-ever uncapped player to lead an IPL team. Not because he’s waiting for his India debut — lol, imagine — but because it’s been over five years since he last wore the blue.
But honestly, the bigger mystery isn’t how this happened. It’s why the Chennai Super Kings keep circling back to Thala like he’s their personal Google search bar. Need answers? Ask Dhoni. Need a captain? Still Dhoni. Need a miracle? You know who.
Yes, he's the only captain with over 100 IPL wins. Yes, he has 17 Man of the Match trophies glittering like Diwali lights in his cabinet. Yes, if captaincy were an art, Dhoni would be the Picasso, Da Vinci, and MF Husain rolled into one. But even the best painting needs a frame—and sometimes, a retirement plan.
But naah, not in CSK land.
When Chennai Super Kings handed the captain's armband to Ruturaj Gaikwad, they forgot one teeny-tiny detail: they didn’t name a vice-captain. No Plan B, no succession chart. Why? Because CSK logic is simple: why groom the next gen when the OG is still around doing bicep curls and strategizing like a war general?
This captaincy confusion isn’t new in Chennai. Remember Suresh Raina? The ultimate heir to the throne? Yeah, he was supposed to be the guy. But somehow, he got Raina’d out of the picture faster than a plot twist in a daily soap.
Oh, and the whole 2022 saga. Dhoni handed the reins to Ravindra Jadeja, CSK’s campaign went downhill faster than a rollercoaster, and midway through the season, Mahi was back on the throne like Simba reclaiming Pride Rock. Long live the king!
And guess what? History just did a full 360 again. Ruturaj Gaikwad got ruled out this season, and in walked Stephen Fleming announcing, “Dhoni shall lead once more.” Coincidence? Maybe.
Fans rejoiced. Twitter exploded. Even the experts couldn’t hide their inner fanboys. And then came the mic-drop moment from Dada himself even before Mahi was handed over the CSK captaincy. Sourav Ganguly said, “If MS Dhoni has to play for CSK, he must be captain of CSK. Because MS Dhoni, the captain, is a different beast.” Goosebumps, right?
On the face of it, Mahi stepped down in 2022 and destiny called him back. A year later, he handed it over but got the captaincy back once again. Twice he walked away, twice he returned. You don’t choose the throne, the throne chooses you. And MS Dhoni isn’t just a cricketer—he’s cricket’s chosen one.
The eternal skipper.
The comeback constant.
The legend who just refuses to log out.
He is MS Dhoni. Destiny’s favourite child.
