"Make sure that this old vintage vehicle is running well" - MS Dhoni's cheeky response on IPL 2027 hopes

Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni came up with a light-hearted response to a query on his chances of playing IPL 2027. He quipped that the pressure is on the doctors to make sure an 'old vintage vehicle' runs well on the road.

Dhoni was retained by CSK for the IPL 2026 season. However, he did not play a single match during the entire edition due to a calf injury and other fitness concerns.

At a healthcare event in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 24, Dhoni was asked about the chances of his participation in IPL 2027. He replied (via PTI):

"Doc, I will have to go through the test. You will have to give me the report, and then before December, I will have to see, you know, how strong I am to maybe play one more season.

"And if I am not, then, you know, you will have to make sure that you do everything right with me and make sure that this old vintage vehicle is running well on the road. So, all the pressure is on them," the 45-year-old went on to add.

In Dhoni's absence, Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK failed to make the playoffs in IPL 2026. They finished in eighth place, winning six matches and losing eight.

CSK won five IPL titles under MS Dhoni

CSK have won five IPL titles so far and all of them came under Dhoni's leadership. They won the T20 league for the first time in 2010 and defended their title in 2011. After a two-year ban, CSK made a strong comeback to clinch their third IPL title in 2018. The Chennai franchise also won the prestigious T20 tournament in 2021 and again in 2023.

Dhoni also led CSK to two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014. Overall, the veteran keeper-batter has featured in 272 matches for CSK. In 238 innings, he has scored 5,314 runs at an average of 38.23 and a strike rate of 139.29, with 23 half-centuries.

In recent seasons, Dhoni has played the role of a finisher for CSK. He has often come in with just a handful of balls left and has looked to throw his bat at everything, coming up with some impressive cameos.

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