MS Dhoni will be there for CSK in 2026 edition of the IPL

Don’t ever talk of MS Dhoni retiring from the Indian Premier League. On Friday, the Chennai Super Kings confirmed the talismanic man from Jharkand will compete in the 2026 edition as well. During the middle of the IPL 2025 season, Dhoni had said even if he is on a wheelchair, the CSK management would ensure he plays. Perhaps, today, Dhoni has once again proved, whether or not he plays any cricket the whole year, he will be there for a special team called CSK.

The Whistle Podu gang went gaga on Friday hearing the news of ‘Thala’ Dhoni being around. For those who have romanced Dhoni, when he played for India, won the nation two big trophies and also shown class in the IPL, he is an ageless wonder. At 44, Dhoni is ready to put in effort. For him, preparation is not easy. If the IPL starts in March, he has to get his body fit. As a wicket-keeper, it has not been easy at all. Yet, when it comes to effecting stumpings, Dhoni is still electrifying.

Interestingly, at a time when people are critical of Virat KohIi and Rohit Sharma, and how they should not be around for the 2027 ODI World Cup, nobody can question how long Dhoni will play the IPL. The debate on his retirement keeps cropping up. As an uncapped player, the CSK still wants him. Brand Dhoni still is powerful, and if you want a crowd puller even today, people will pay to watch the winning captain of the 2011 World Cup.

In the 2025 IPL season, when Ruturaj Gaikwad got injured, Dhoni was ready to lead again. He faced criticism as the side fared badly. But then, Dhoni and the CSK think-tank do not worry about all this. In no IPL team will you find this kind of a philosophy where a player past prime is still respected so massively.

At a time when there is chatter over Sanju Samson being traded from Rajasthan Royals to CSK, one thing is certain, Dhoni will be around. He may not be able to smash the sixes like before, but on an emotional quotient, Dhoni still gets rated high. This will be his 19^th IPL, where for two years he had to play for another franchise. His stats are rocking, in 248 matches for CSK, he has scored 4,865 runs. For the record, CSK won the IPL title five times – 2010, 2011, 2021 and 2023.