"Age is No Excuse in Competitive Cricket," Says Dhoni

New Delhi  - Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni stated that age does not offer any relaxation in competitive cricket, even after retirement from international formats. Despite not playing cricket year-round, Dhoni has continued to compete in the Indian Premier League (IPL) without any leniency for his age.

At 42, Dhoni played under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad in IPL 2024. CSK, unfortunately, missed the playoffs after a defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), finishing fifth with a record of seven wins, seven losses, and 14 points.

Dhoni shared his challenges on Dubai Eye 103.8 YouTube channel, saying, "The toughest thing is that I am not playing cricket the whole year. So I have to stay fit. Once I come, I will be competing against those youngsters. It's not easy to play international cricket; if you want to play, you have to change your eating habits and train."

Reflecting on his career, Dhoni mentioned missing family time due to his cricket commitments. He revealed that post-retirement, spending time with family and engaging in hobbies like farming, motorbikes, and vintage cars helps him stay focused and de-stressed. "If I'm stressed, maybe I'll go to the garage, spend a few hours there and I'll come back relaxed," Dhoni added.

Dhoni also shared his love for pets, particularly dogs, which provide him unconditional love and joy.

In the current IPL season, Dhoni's knee surgery last year has led CSK to manage his workload carefully. Despite limited batting opportunities, Dhoni delivered impressive performances, scoring 161 runs in 14 matches with an average of 53.67 and a strike rate of 220.55.

As for his future, there remains uncertainty whether Dhoni will participate in the next IPL edition, with only he being able to decide on his continued involvement.