Should MS Dhoni play in IPL 2026?

MS Dhoni has been part of IPL since the first season in 2008.

Indian legend MS Dhoni is one of the few players who have been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the inception of the league. The keeper-batter was picked by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2008 edition and was also appointed as the skipper of the side.

He has been part of CSK since the 2008 season, barring the two seasons where his side was suspended. The franchise has retained him over the years due to his strong leadership skills and explosive batting style in the lower order. Notably, he has been impressive as a leader in the IPL.

Under his captaincy, CSK ended as runners-up in the first season in 2008. Later, they won their first title in the 2010 season and repeated the heroics in the 2011 edition, becoming the first team to win consecutive trophies in the IPL. Dhoni led CSK to five IPL titles from the 2008 to 2023 editions.

CSK are also the most consistent team as they have qualified for the playoffs in 12 seasons. Dhoni left the captaincy of the side ahead of the 2024 season and handed it to Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, he had to take the reins of the side in the 2025 season once again after Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury.

Notably, MS Dhoni will turn 44 years old this year. For the last few seasons, his retirement from the IPL has been a hot topic. The right-handed batsman retired from international cricket in 2019. However, he continues to play for CSK in the league. Prior to IPL 2025, Dhoni was retained as an uncapped player by the franchise for INR 4 crores.

However, IPL 2025 was one of the worst seasons for Dhoni as a batsman and skipper. CSK were the first team to be eliminated from the race to the playoffs. The captain also struggled with his batting, mustering 196 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 135.17.

As the Indian legend struggled both with his batting and captaincy in IPL 2025, his retirement has become the talk of the town. Interestingly, the CSK skipper did not confirm his retirement from IPL after the team’s last game in the tournament. However, he also did not confirm his return for the next season in 2026. On that note, let us discuss whether MS Dhoni should return in IPL 2026 or not.

Why MS Dhoni should return in IPL 2026?

1. Brilliant guide for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad

MS Dhoni has truckloads of experience and has been highly successful as skipper both at the international level as well as the IPL level. Ruturaj Gaikwad is the new skipper of CSK, but lacks leadership experience. Also, he has not impressed with his captaincy so far in the league.

Therefore, he needs Dhoni as a second fiddle inside the field to improve his leadership skills. Hence, Dhoni’s presence in the CSK squad is a big support for Gaikwad.

2. Powerful lower-order batsman

Dhoni was not an impressive batsman in IPL 2025. However, one should not forget his brilliant form in the previous two seasons in the lower order. Dhoni held a strike rate of 220.55 in the 2024 season and 182.46 in the 2023 season.

Hence, he still has the quality to handle the pressure in the lower order. One poor season does not diminish his might in the lower order.

3. Good fitness despite growing age

Although Dhoni has turned 43 years old, he maintains good fitness. He underwent a knee surgery after IPL 2023, however, it has not hampered his fitness on the field. Notably, Dhoni did not miss a single match for CSK in the last three seasons in the IPL due to injury or fitness issues. He has literally proved the old English saying ‘age is just a number’.

Why MS Dhoni should not return in IPL 2026?

1. Age factor 

One of the biggest things that is against MS Dhoni playing in IPL 2026 is his age. The keeper-batter will be turning 44 in July and by the time the next season of the league starts, he will be approaching 45. The reflexes surely get slow with age and this was evident during IPL 2025, where he looked rusty behind the stumps and also looked slow while running between the wickets. With the league evolving with each passing day, his age surely won’t work in his favour for next season.

2. Poor performance with bat in IPL 2025 

MS Dhoni was far away from his best with the bat in IPL 2025. The keeper-batter batted down the order in all the games and even came beyond eight in a few games. The CSK skipper slammed just 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.20 this year, and the majority of those runs came when the game was already out of reach.

Also, his struggle against spinners was one for everyone to see. The right-hander got stuck at the crease and even failed to rotate strike contrary to his early days, where he used to belt spinners. This in itself says that his time in the league is over, and he shouldn’t be there for next season. 

3. Blocking place for youngsters 

The presence of MS Dhoni for CSK in the IPL 2026 will surely block a place for the youngster in the team. With the franchise already having some aged players and with young players being need of an hour in the T20 cricket, his presence not only restricts young guns from playing but also doesn’t allow the franchise to look at a keeper-batter who can be there for the next decade.

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