New Delhi: MS Dhoni is poised to return to the field in IPL 2025. The iconic player will participate as an uncapped player after being retained by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹4 crore. Dhoni will once again be playing under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad having stepped down from the captaincy prior to IPL 2024. Dhoni led CSK to five IPL championships before stepping down as captain. The Indian cricket icon has participated in every IPL season to date and holds the record for the most appearances in the leagues history. Dhoni played his first IPL match during the second game of the 2008 season where Chennai Super Kings faced off against Punjab Kings (formerly known as Kings XI Punjab) in Mohali. CSK batting first achieved a score of 240/5 thanks to an unbeaten century from Michael Hussey. Dhoni had a forgetful debut scoring just 2 runs off 3 balls before being dismissed in the 8th over. He batted in the fourth position and James Hopes was the bowler who took his wicket in this high-profile match. Hopes was a prominent international cricketer for Australia during his career making significant contributions in both batting and bowling. At 46 years old he participated in 84 ODIs and 12 T20Is accumulating a total of 1326 runs and taking 67 wickets in ODIs. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) he played for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Deccan Chargers. After retiring he began a coaching career and collaborated with Ricky Ponting at Delhi Capitals. Hopes appears to have earned Pontings confidence as he has now joined him at PBKS. He will serve as the bowling coach for PBKS in IPL 2025 with Ponting as the head coach and Shreyas Iyer leading the Punjab franchise. Dhoni currently participates solely in the IPL. Although he has the option to play in international leagues doing so would require him to leave the IPL. The captain who has won the IPL five times may continue to play for CSK for a few more seasons before he retires from the T20 league. Additionally Dhoni played for the Rising Pune Super Giants for two seasons serving as the teams captain in the 2016 IPL.