With less than 24 hours to go for ex-Indian captain MS Dhoni's birthday, two massive cutouts of the star cricketer were unveiled in Vijayawada. In a video surfaced on social media on July 6, 2025, the huge crowd assembled as fans held poster of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with Dhoni wearing a South Indian outfit in one of those.
Dhoni, set to turn 44, enjoys a huge fan following in the South India regions, mainly due to his association with the Super Kings since 2008. Fondly known as 'Thala', the keeper-batter has plied his trade for the Yellow Army since 2008 and didn't play for them only in 2016 and 2017 when the franchise copped a ban. Additionally, Dhoni has also propelled the Super Kings to five title victories, the most recent of which came in 2023.
Additionally, he won the T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy for Team India.
Watch the video here:
"If cricketers start retiring because of their performances, some of them will retire at the age of 22" - MS Dhoni
Following CSK's final match of the season, Dhoni said he has 4-5 months to decide and that cricketers can't retire based solely on their performances. The veteran said he will take his time to decide his IPL future and said in the post-game presentation:
"I have 4-5 months to decide, there's no hurry to decide what needs to be done. Every year it's 15% more effort to keep the body fit. You have to be at your best, this is top level cricket. It's professional cricket. It's not always performance you can count. If cricketers start retiring because of their performances, some of them will retire at the age of 22. What is important to see is how much hunger you have and how fit you are. How much you can contribute for the team. Whether the team needs you or doesn’t, so I have enough time."
