Year after year, fans expect MS Dhoni to retire, but he goes on. The majority of players retire from cricket in their late 30s, not because they lose interest, but because their bodies are unable to handle the pressure. Something similar is happening to Dhoni also. His knee has been giving him problems over the last few years, but he keeps on playing in IPL. But why? Is Dhoni still playing out of passion for the game? Or is it because he owes it to Chennai Super Kings (CSK)? He may not be captain anymore, but his presence counts a great deal. CSK and Dhoni go hand in hand, if you think of one, you think of the other. Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan believes the same. While he didn’t say it directly, he hinted that Dhoni may be staying on in the IPL to help the franchise recover money. Dhoni knows he isn’t at his best anymore, but he’s still the face of CSK. That makes him feel responsible for the team. At Bails and Banter show, Wassan said: "Dhoni is CSK, and CSK is Dhoni. CSK could have been doing good or not alongside Dhoni, but he is still recovering money for the franchise. Dhoni knows that his best days are gone, but he is still playing and facing the criticism. It shows how much attached he is to the franchise." Also Read | Watch: Brevis Launches 114m in Sixes in Super Sixes Challenge Was Dhoni’s Captaincy to Blame in IPL 2025? This season, CSK performed poorly in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This is for the first time since the inception of IPL, when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finished at the bottom of the table. Dhoni can be blamed for that, or so some would say, but Atul Wassan has a different opinion. According to him, Dhoni wasn't provided with a solid team to lead, and his leadership cannot be questioned on that basis. Things went wrong for CSK in the auction last year where they emptied their bank on experienced cricketer, ignoring the young talent. However, in the mid-season, injuries forced them to rope in players like Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel and Dewald Brevis who all showed calibre. In brief, Dhoni might be physically down, but he's still playing, not to set records, but because he wants to contribute to CSK.