MS Dhoni may not have faced a single ball or donned the wicketkeeping gloves in Indian Premier League 2026, but his influence from the dugout remained the bedrock of Chennai Super Kings’ transitional season.
Following CSK’s final home game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday, head coach Stephen Fleming mounted a strong defence of Dhoni’s non-playing role. Despite intense speculation and fan disappointment over the 44-year-old missing his final potential home fixture, Fleming emphasised that the former captain’s off-field presence was vital for a squad in flux.
“MS has been around a lot this year, which has been really important for the team, for a lot of the young players, and for continuity,” Fleming said during the post-match press conference.
“So, he’s been a big part of it. He hasn’t played, but he’s still had a big influence on the team.”
Also Read: 5 teams, 1 spot: Explaining IPL 2026 play-offs race
Addressing the inevitable scrutiny over Dhoni occupying a squad spot without taking the field, Fleming conceded that professional sport offers no hiding place.
“There are a lot of good things we’ve done. We’ve introduced some new players who will hopefully be generation players for CSK. But I know we’re judged on results, and that’s fair. So, yep, that’s a management call, not mine.”
When pressed on whether Dhoni was ever in contention to play this season, Fleming clarified: “No, he was working through this one. There’s been a lot of change, so this year, at least, he was here the whole time. Last year, he wasn’t here at all, so it would be unfair to judge that.”
While management remains tight-lipped about the future, former CSK stalwart Suresh Raina is already launching a public campaign to lure the talismanic finisher back for the 2027 season.
Speaking after Dhoni participated in CSK’s traditional lap of honour to thank the Chepauk faithful on Monday night, Raina revealed a candid exchange between the two long-time teammates.
“I told him you have given IPL 2026 a missed call. It won’t count. You have to come back next year,” Raina said.
According to Raina, Dhoni’s initial response was cautious, citing the physical toll of elite cricket. “He said, ‘Nahi yaar, body thoda waisa hai’ (No man, the body is a bit like that). I said we are not believing anything. You have to play next year.”
Raina remains optimistic that the door is not completely shut on Dhoni’s playing career, suggesting that the veteran’s trademark ambiguity might actually hint at a final comeback trail.
“It’s his personal call. I think he is positive. The team is also gelling well again,” Raina added. “Fans also want him to come. He said, ‘Let me see.’ If he says let me see, there’s a chance he will work hard, and play again.”
CSK, who failed to defend 180 against SRH, are stuck at the sixth place with 12 points from 13 matches. They will need other results to go their way and need to beat Gujarat Titans on Thursday, May 21 in Ahmedabad to keep their mathematical chances of reaching the playoffs alive.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
Source: India Today
