Will MS Dhoni play as an Impact Player in IPL 2026? Here's the update

As widely expected, MS Dhoni has been retained by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise continues to place immense trust in its iconic leader, who will once again look to guide the team after a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign in which the five-time champions finished at the bottom of the table. Dhoni’s presence remains a major source of stability and motivation for the squad, and fans are eagerly anticipating what could be one of his final seasons in yellow. Former India cricketer and IPL winner Mohammad Kaif recently dismissed the notion that Dhoni might be used purely as an Impact Player in IPL 2026.

MS Dhoni set to play as an Impact Player in IPL 2026?

Although MS Dhoni has been batting lower down the order in recent years, Kaif emphasised that his contributions extend far beyond just a cameo with the bat. According to Kaif, Dhoni’s exceptional skills as a wicketkeeper, coupled with his unparalleled tactical insight, make him far too valuable to be restricted to a single-dimensional role. He added that Dhoni’s leadership, mentorship, and calm decision-making on the field will continue to play a crucial part in shaping CSK’s campaign as they aim for a strong comeback in the new season.

"Dhoni does not bat anyway. He is playing to keep 20 overs and to captain 20 overs. He is playing to guide the players. He is there to guide Gaikwad. He is playing only for this, as a mentor and captain," stated former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad was forced to miss a large portion of IPL 2025  due to an elbow injury, which led to MS Dhoni stepping in as captain for Chennai Super Kings during most of the season. With Gaikwad expected to regain full fitness ahead of IPL 2026, many anticipate that he will formally resume leadership duties for the franchise. However, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that the captaincy dynamics at CSK are far more nuanced than they appear on paper.

Kaif stated that while Gaikwad may hold the official title of captain, it is Dhoni who continues to control the tactical and on-field decision-making. According to him, Dhoni’s immense experience, strategic brilliance, and the respect he commands within the squad naturally make him the guiding force during matches. Because of this, Kaif does not view Dhoni as an ideal candidate for the Impact Player role, which typically limits a player’s involvement to specific phases of the game. Instead, he emphasised that Dhoni’s continuous presence behind the stumps and his influence over team strategy remain indispensable. For CSK, Kaif believes Dhoni will always be more than just a player, he will remain the heartbeat of the team’s decision-making, regardless of the official captaincy.

"On paper, Gaikwad may be the captain, but till Dhoni is on the field, things are in his hands. There is no doubt about what he does. So I do not think he will play as an impact player. Either he will rule himself out, but no chance of him being an impact player," Kaif added. 

Sanju Samson has been traded to the Chennai Super Kings from the Rajasthan Royals, a move that adds depth and firepower to CSK’s batting lineup. However, despite Samson’s reputation as a skilled wicketkeeper, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that the keeping duties will remain with MS Dhoni. Kaif argued that Dhoni’s experience, sharp reflexes, and unmatched game awareness behind the stumps continue to give CSK a significant advantage.

He suggested that Sanju Samson will most likely feature as a specialist batter and fielder, allowing Dhoni to maintain his pivotal role in guiding the bowlers and shaping on-field strategies. According to Kaif, Dhoni’s influence as a keeper-captain figure is too valuable for CSK to set aside, even with a capable alternative like Samson in the squad.