[In Picture] Suresh Raina catches up with MS Dhoni days ahead of IPL 2025 retention deadline
Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Suresh Raina recently met his ex-skipper MS Dhoni days ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention deadline on Thursday, October 31. The two players enjoy a great legacy at the Super Kings franchise. Together, they won four IPL trophies in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021.
Raina retired from IPL after the 2022 season as one of the leading run-getters in the T20 league. The southpaw scored 5,528 runs in 205 IPL games, including a century and 39 fifties.
Raina won the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy under Dhoni’s captaincy for India. The duo shares a great friendship and retired from international cricket on the same date – August 15, 2020.
Meanwhile, Dhoni has yet to pull the curtains down on his legendary career. The 43-year-old is the favorite to play the upcoming 2025 edition after the BCCI and IPL governing council tweaked the uncapped player rule. Apart from winning five IPL trophies as captain, Dhoni has amassed 5243 runs in 264 IPL matches, comprising 24 half-centuries.
In a post shared on Instagram by Raina, the duo twinned in black. He captioned:
“Always a pleasure catching up with you mahi bhai.”
Take a look:
“When he is ready, what else (do) we want?” – CSK CEO on MS Dhoni’s availability for IPL 2025
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was pleased after MS Dhoni hinted that he would play in IPL 2025. He told Cricbuzz (via Zee News):
“When he is ready, what else (do) we want. We are happy.”
The comments came after Dhoni said he wanted to enjoy the last few years of his career. The wicketkeeper-batter said in a promotional event (via ESPNcricinfo):
"I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I'm able to play. Like how during our childhood we used to go out and play at 4[pm], just enjoying the game. But when you play professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy the game just like a game. So, what I want to do is, there are emotions and commitments, but I want to enjoy the game for the next few years."
Notably, CSK can retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player for ₹4 crore.