Legendary MS Dhoni has been directed by the Madras High Court to deposit ₹10 lakh in his defamation case linked to the 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal. The court asked Dhoni to pay the cost of transcribing and translating compact discs submitted as evidence in the case, which is still under consideration.
Dhoni filed a ₹100 crore defamation suit in 2014 against two media organizations, a journalist, and a retired IPS officer, accusing them of making false claims. He has consistently denied all allegations, and the case has seen repeated delays over the years due to multiple interim applications and appeals.
Madras High Court Orders MS Dhoni to Deposit ₹10 Lakh in IPL 2013 Betting Case
According to a report by Bar and Bench, MS Dhoni will have to deposit the amount with the Chief Justice Relief Fund on or before March 12, 2026. The money will be used to cover the cost of transcribing and translating compact discs that were submitted as evidence in the case.
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The report stated that the work will require an interpreter and a typist for around three to four months. The court noted that in such cases, the involvement of an official interpreter makes it necessary for the plaintiff to bear the cost of the work carried out.
“In normal circumstances and in a suit filed by the plaintiff, it is the plaintiff who has to do the above work and file the documents along with his plaint. As the engagement of official Interpreter is needed in view of the extraneous circumstances and as mentioned in the earlier order dated 28.10.2025, it is obligatory on the part of the plaintiff to pay the cost of the job done,” the court said.
MS Dhoni Defamation Case Set for Next Hearing on March 12
The case is next listed for hearing on March 12. In 2025, the High Court ordered the trial to begin and appointed an advocate commissioner to record MS Dhoni’s evidence outside the court, citing security concerns linked to his celebrity status.
Dhoni filed the ₹100 crore defamation case in 2014, accusing retired IPS officer G. Sampath Kumar, Zee Media Corporation, News Nation Network, and journalist Sudhir Chaudhary of wrongly linking his name to the IPL 2013 betting scam. Kumar was part of the investigation into the scandal.
In 2023, a division bench found Kumar guilty of criminal contempt over remarks made in court filings and sentenced him to 15 days’ simple imprisonment. The Supreme Court later stayed the sentence. The case has faced several delays due to multiple applications and appeals filed by the parties involved.
MS Dhoni Set for Yet Another IPL Season With Chennai Super Kings
MS Dhoni is set to return to competitive cricket in IPL 2026, where he will represent Chennai Super Kings. The franchise retained the 44-year-old for ₹4 crore as an uncapped player ahead of the 2026 season.
Dhoni took over as CSK captain during IPL 2025 after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury after five matches. CSK secured only four wins from 14 matches and finished at the bottom of the points table.
With the bat, Dhoni scored 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17, with a highest score of 30 not out. Dhoni has already started preparing for the upcoming season. CSK will now look to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in IPL 2026.
