Checkout the latest update on MS Dhoni 100 crore defamation case
Nearly a decade after it was filed, the Madras High Court has ordered the trial to begin in MS Dhoni’s ₹100 crore defamation case, which he had filed after his name was linked to the infamous 2013 IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal. The court has now appointed an advocate commissioner to record Dhoni’s statement, which will be taken in Chennai between October 20 and December 10, 2025. The 2013 IPL controversy shook Indian cricket, with several players being found guilty of spot-fixing and two teams — Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals — receiving two-year suspensions due to the involvement of their team officials in betting activities.
Although Dhoni, who was captain of both CSK and the Indian national team at the time, was never formally charged, his name had surfaced in various media discussions and speculative reports. These allegations, despite lacking legal merit, prompted Dhoni to take legal action in 2014 to protect his image and reputation. The long-pending case is finally moving forward, and the court’s recent directive marks a significant step in Dhoni’s efforts to clear his name and hold those responsible for the defamatory content accountable. The trial proceedings are expected to resume later this year.
MS Dhoni’s ₹100 crore defamation suit, filed in 2014, named Zee Media Corporation, journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, retired IPS officer G. Sampath Kumar, and News Nation Network as respondents. The former India captain accused them of making baseless and defamatory allegations, linking him to the 2013 IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal without any credible evidence.
On August 11, 2025, Justice C.V. Karthikeyan of the Madras High Court directed that Dhoni’s testimony be recorded by an advocate commissioner at a mutually agreed location, rather than in open court, to expedite proceedings. Dhoni’s counsel, P.R. Raman, submitted an affidavit requesting this approach to prevent further delays in a case that has been pending for over ten years.
“The above request is made with the intent to avoid any undue delay (in disposal of the suit pending in the High Court for over a decade) and to support the fair, just, and speedy adjudication of the suit. I state that I shall extend my full co-operation with the Advocate Commissioner and comply with all directions issued by this honourable court regarding the trial and the recording of evidence," the affidavit read.
The progress of MS Dhoni’s defamation trial faced significant delays over the years due to numerous procedural challenges and applications filed by different parties involved in the case. These legal hurdles kept the matter pending in court for nearly a decade. Meanwhile, Dhoni, who hails from Ranchi, officially retired from international cricket in August 2020, marking the end of a glorious career with Team India. However, he continues to remain active in the game by leading Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. His enduring presence in the league keeps him closely associated with the sport, even as he seeks legal redress to protect his reputation following the 2013 IPL betting and spot-fixing controversy.
