MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in nine games in the IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League). He took charge after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. However, the legendary captain could not help revive CSK’s fortunes as the Men in Yellow finished at the bottom of the points table for the first time in IPL history.
Dhoni, who will turn 44 in July, recently said he has four-five months to take a call on his future, raising hopes that the wicketkeeper-batter might return to play another IPL season. Meanwhile, former India pacer Atul Wassan suggested that while Dhoni might be a good fit for a mentor’s role, he lacks the patience needed to take up a full-time coaching responsibility.
“I think he is fit for a mentor, but for coaching, Dhoni does not have patience. Because you know if he becomes a coach, then his lifestyle will keep looping the same way, like touring with the team and all that. Why would he want all that?” Wassan said on the Bails and Banter show on OTTPlay.
MS Dhoni has overstayed his welcome: Murali Kartik
Wassan reflects on pressures of coaching
Atul Wassan also pointed out that coaching can be as taxing as being a player, something which the five-time IPL-winning captain might not be willing to take on. The cricketer-turned-expert mentioned some differences between the role of a coach and a mentor.
“No, coaching is for people who are control-fixed, like Gautam Gambhir, because he needs importance, but mentoring is like ‘come, have a sit, let’s eat together,’ and some players actually approach you. So you don’t have to be the mentor, but there is mentoring going on around the whole universe of cricket. People who are close to you will approach you and take advice, whether you are a mentor or not,” he explained.
Dhoni played all 14 matches in IPL 2025 and batted on 13 occasions. He finished with 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.18. While he hit some trademark sixes against the speedsters, his performance against the spinners wasn’t as great.
