Former Indian cricketer S Badrinath has come up with a big suggestion regarding MS Dhoni ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He said that until the wicketkeeper-batsman plays in the league, he should captain the Chennai Super Kings in the tournament.

MS Dhoni is arguably one of the best captains to have played in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The wicketkeeper-batsman has made Chennai Super Kings the most successful franchise in the tournament, helping them win five titles.

MS Dhoni, apart from being the best finisher in the game, has been very effective as a leader. The wicketkeeper-batsman holds the record of having led Chennai Super Kings to the most number of playoffs in the league. The way he brought out the best in his players was the most prominent feature of the team.

Ahead of IPL 2024, MS Dhoni handed over his captaincy and handed over the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. The young batsman played a decent role but it was the wicketkeeper-batsman who passed on the instructions to the young leader of the team.

Although Chennai Super Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs, Ruturaj Gaikwad did a good job for his team. MS Dhoni, despite being injured, played a vital role for his team as he batted in the right order and made some standout appearances, entertaining fans across the stadiums.

S Badrinath, ahead of IPL 2025, made a strong statement by saying that if Dhoni plays next season, he should lead the team. He feels that it is difficult to see anyone as captain of the team if the keeper-batsman is on the field. Speaking to InsideSport, he explained:

“If MS is going to play, if he’s playing, until he’s playing, I think he should be the leader. That’s my opinion on it. Because I feel like whoever captain you put on the field, if there’s an MS, it’s impossible to see anyone else as captain because he just… nobody can be MS, that’s what I feel.”

As long as MS Dhoni is playing, I would like him to be the leader – S Badrinath

S Badrinath further suggested that Dhoni should lead the team while he is playing. He believes grooming the young player as captain will not work, so the wicketkeeper-batsman should take up the role himself. He explained:

“So, I think my suggestion, of course, is that if he plays, I think I want to believe in him. So, I don’t think you can stand on the field and prepare a captain. I don’t know if it will work or not. It may work or it may not. So, as long as MS is playing, I would like him to be the leader.”

It is unclear whether MS Dhoni will play in the IPL 2025 or not. There have been reports claiming that the wicketkeeper-batsman will decide once the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) releases the retention policy for the mega auction.