IPL 2025: MS Dhoni to Moeen Ali - Four Players who are in Twilight Stages of Career

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The IPL 2025 season is set to start from March 22 as Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

As the tournament turns to its 18th edition, a number of youngsters are expected to make a mark and the seasoned campaigners will be hoping to play their part for their respective teams.

A number of experienced and veteran stars of the game will be donning the shirts of many teams. With these players nearing the twilight of their careers, IPL 2025 could be a season of goodbyes to some of the tournament's most influential figures.

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)

MS Dhoni, the face of Chennai Super Kings, has been a pillar of consistency and leadership in the IPL. His sharp captaincy, finishing abilities, and wicketkeeping skills have defined an era. Across 234 matches, he has accumulated nearly 5,000 runs at an average of 39.20 and a strike rate of 135.20.

While he remains an impact player, his limited game time in recent seasons and advancing age suggest that 2025 could be his farewell campaign. Dhoni recently mentioned that he wants to enjoy the last couple of seasons of his career, but the former India captain will have to battle his injury issues.

2. Faf du Plessis (Delhi Capitals)

A dependable top-order batsman, Faf du Plessis has been a vital part of various franchises over the years. With more than 3,500 runs in 120 matches at an average of 34.50 and a strike rate of 130.00, he has remained a consistent performer.

While his fitness is still impressive, the intensity of the IPL and the emergence of younger options might make 2025 his final year in the league. Du Plessis was roped in for Rs 2 crore by Delhi Capitals and is being named as the deputy of Axar Patel.

3. Ishant Sharma (Gujarat Titans)

A veteran of Indian cricket, Ishant Sharma has been a key bowler for various IPL teams. His ability to generate bounce and trouble batters with his length has earned him 84 wickets in 104 IPL games at an economy of 8.10.

However, given the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket and the rise of young pacers, 2025 might be his last opportunity to showcase his skills in the IPL. Ishant will be playing for Gujarat Titans this season but is unlikely to get a lot of opportunities, and an underwhelming outing can be the end of his IPL journey.

4. Moeen Ali (Kolkata Knight Riders)

An explosive all-rounder, Moeen Ali has been a match-winner with both bat and ball. Though his skill set remains valuable, the physical demands of T20 cricket and the evolving team dynamics might see him call time on his IPL career after the 2025 season.

The English all-rounder was roped in by Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2025 and is expected to play a peripheral role in the campaign. The 37-year-old has played 67 IPL matches and has scored 1162 runs, and his most notable stint was for the Chennai Super Kings.