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(LEFT) Screengrab from the video posted on social media by CSK; Chennai Super Kings stalwart MS Dhoni. (PHOTOs: CSK X)
Will Chennai Super Kings’ long-standing love affair continue for another year? With plenty of trade deals confirmed and rumoured still ahead of the retention deadline on Saturday, the big question still remains around the former India captain, and currently uncapped member of the CSK squad. On Thursday night, in a social media post, the franchise posted a video of their mascot Leo answering phone calls which asked the same question in multiple languages: Will Thala play next season?
The post reads: “You all asked in every language known. Leo still chose — — ·-· ··· ·” (The last part of the message is Morse written in Morse Code.) The video ends with Leo posting a cryptic message in Morse Code on a black T-shirt. The first three lines of the Morse Code, including space breaks, and the final line minus space breaks, reads as follows:
O N E
L A S T
T I M E
?
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The question mark at the end which is ..–.. simply stands for a question mark, meaning it is not yet official if the legendary CSK veteran is set for another season. CSK’s official stance last week was that they hoped Dhoni will feature in the next edition. The 44-year-old, who stepped in as captain last season after an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad, hasn’t announced his intentions as yet. But according to the franchise’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan, the door is still very much open for him to continue as a playing member of the squad.
You all asked in every language known.
Leo still chose — — ·-· ··· · 😉✨#LeoHotline #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/TSylWZZdZC
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 13, 2025
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“We are hopeful that he would play. He hasn’t said no so far, so we expect him to play the next season as well,” Viswanathan said last Friday. With the franchises having to formalise their retentions by November 15 ahead of the auction scheduled for later this year, the social media handle posted the teaser in Morse Code. After finishing at the bottom of the table last season with four wins and 10 defeats, the five-time champions are preparing for a partial overhaul of the squad. With regards to Dhoni, his contribution has been limited, as he has predominantly preferred to come in at the backend of a batting innings, with a couple of overs left.
While there is Urvil Patel as a backup wicketkeeper option, the franchise had been in talks with the Rajasthan Royals over a possible trade for Sanju Samson, which is now set to take place with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran moving the other way. Neither franchise has confirmed the trade yet though.
Speaking at an event in August, Dhoni had said CSK are more or less sorted on the batting front but conceded that the squad had holes to be plugged. “There were certain holes that we need to plug in. I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. A small auction is coming in December. You know some holes are there, and we will try to plug those in. But again, you have to be at your best at the start of the tournament. You have to get the planning right. You have to use the resources in the best possible manner. Even the fans feel disappointed, but also the fact is the players always feel more disappointed than the fans. So we do talk about the processes. But at the same time here, we do want the result to come to our side. Last year wasn’t there. But looking ahead we will try to sort out most of the things. And we will hopefully be at our best,” Dhoni had said.
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