MS Dhoni Role In IPL 2026: Everyone knew that MS Dhoni would be retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, and the same was done too. Last year in IPL 2025, CSK finished last in the points table, which never happened in the history of the tournament. This year Dhoni will be looking to help his team bounce back strongly and win their sixth title in the upcoming edition.
MS Dhoni Role In IPL 2026
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who was also the IPL winner with Rajasthan Royals, stated that Dhoni won’t be playing as the Impact Player in IPL 2026. From the last few seasons, Dhoni has been batting down the order of late, and Kaif believes that he will be adding value to the team as a wicketkeeper and mentor.
In his YouTube channel he said,
“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.”
“On Paper, Ruturaj Gaikwad Is The Captain” : Mohammad Kaif
In IPL 2025, Ruturaj Gaikwad almost missed the whole season due to his injury, due to which MS Dhoni led the team. In IPL 2026, Gaikwad is all set to lead the team.
However, Kaif feels that the CSK captain is only the captain on paper and on the field, but it is MS Dhoni who decides. This is the reason Kaif doesn’t see Dhoni as an impact player.
He said,
“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 there’s no chance of him being an impact player.”
“Samson is not close to Dhoni in wicketkeeping”: Mohammad Kaif
As per the latest updates, Sanju Samson has now been traded to CSK officially. However, Kaif feels that wicketkeeping will be done by Dhoni only in the coming season, and Samson will play as a fielder.
He said,
“The era where a keeper could not field is gone. Now in the IPL and Indian cricket, it has all changed. Uthappa kept, Kedar Jadhav kept, and KL Rahul also became a keeper. Now 2-3 wicketkeepers play in the XI, even in the Indian team. Sanju Samson will play as a fielder, and Dhoni will keep in the starting lineup at least. You need Dhoni on the field for a long time. Samson is not close to Dhoni in wicketkeeping. No one can reach that level. Only Dhoni can do what he does. He will run the game from behind.”
