A photograph of MS Dhoni sporting a Mumbai Indians (MI) jersey has ignited a frenzy on social media, leaving cricket fans worldwide in a state of amusement and speculation. The image, which surfaced on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, shows the legendary former India captain wearing a sleeveless MI jersey during a casual football game.
The picture was shared on Instagram by entrepreneur and influencer Arjun Vaidya, who posed alongside Dhoni and others after the friendly match. Vaidya captioned the post "Football game with MS". The image quickly went viral, triggering a wave of reactions from fans.
Dhoni, known as a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon, has been synonymous with the Chennai-based franchise since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Apart from CSK, Dhoni only played for one franchise in the IPL, Rising Pune Supergiants. The sight of him in the blue and gold of MI, CSK's arch-rivals, has left many fans stunned and questioning his loyalties.
The image has fueled speculation about Dhoni's future in the IPL. Some fans are wondering if the 44-year-old wicket-keeper batsman is contemplating a switch to MI for the 2026 season. Others believe it was just a casual moment and should not be taken too seriously. There has been no official confirmation from Dhoni or either franchise regarding the matter.
Dhoni had returned to lead CSK in IPL 2025 in the absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was injured. However, CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Adding to the intrigue, Dhoni was retained by CSK for ₹4 crore in IPL 2025, thanks to a new BCCI policy that classifies a player as uncapped if they haven't played international cricket or held a central contract in the last five years.
In other news, Dhoni has officially become a certified drone pilot. He completed his training at a DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation in Chennai. Garuda Aerospace, a drone technology firm in India where Dhoni is an investor and brand ambassador, confirmed this.
Despite the rumors of his retirement circulating, the veteran wicketkeeper hasn't made an official comment yet. He remains IPL's most capped player, having amassed 5439 runs in 278 matches, placing him sixth on the all-time run-scoring list.
Whether the image indicates a potential shift in Dhoni's IPL allegiance or simply a light-hearted moment remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly captured the attention of the cricketing world.
