The legendary MS Dhoni has been directed by the Madras High Court to deposit ₹10 lakh in the defamation case related to the 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scam. The court asked Dhoni to pay the cost of transcription and translation of the compact discs submitted as evidence in the case, which is still sub-judice.
Dhoni filed a ₹100 crore defamation suit in 2014 against two media organisations, 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 numerous interim applications and appeals.
Madras High Court orders MS Dhoni to deposit ₹10 lakh in IPL 2013 betting case
According to a report in Bar & Bench, MS Dhoni will have to deposit the amount in the Chief Justice Relief Fund on or before March 12, 2026. The money will be used to cover the cost of transcribing and translating the compact discs presented as evidence in the case.
The report said that this work would require an interpreter and a typist for about three to four months. The court said that in such cases, the involvement of an official interpreter makes it necessary for the plaintiff to bear the cost of the work done.
The court said, “Under 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 petition. Since the extenuating circumstances require the appointment of an official interpreter and as mentioned in the earlier order dated 28.10.2025, it is mandatory to pay the cost of the work done on behalf of the plaintiff.”
Next hearing of MS Dhoni defamation case will be on March 12
The next hearing of the case will be on March 12. In 2025, the High Court ordered the hearing to begin and appointed an Advocate Commissioner to record MS Dhoni’s evidence outside the court citing security concerns related to his celebrity status.
Dhoni filed a ₹100 crore defamation suit in 2014 against retired IPS officer G. Sampath Kumar accused 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 this scam.
In 2023, a division bench found Kumar guilty of criminal contempt over comments made in court filings and sentenced him to 15 days of simple imprisonment. Later the Supreme Court stayed the sentence. The case has faced several delays due to multiple applications and appeals filed by the parties concerned.
MS Dhoni is ready for another IPL season with Chennai Super Kings
MS Dhoni is set to make a comeback to competitive cricket in IPL 2026, where he will represent Chennai Super Kings. The franchise retained the 44-year-old as an uncapped player for ₹4 crore ahead of the 2026 season.
Dhoni took over as CSK captain during IPL 2025 after regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with injury after five matches. CSK managed 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 strike rate of 135.17, with his highest score being 30 not out. Dhoni has already started preparations for the upcoming season. CSK would now like to regroup and perform strongly in IPL 2026.
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