MS Dhoni has been a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inaugural season in 2008. The legendary Indian wicketkeeper-batsman was picked by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the first edition and was immediately appointed as the team’s captain.

Apart from the two seasons when CSK was suspended, Dhoni has remained with the franchise throughout. Over the years, CSK has continued to retain him due to his exceptional leadership qualities and his ability to deliver powerful performances in the lower batting order. He has consistently impressed as a leader in the IPL.

Under his captaincy, CSK finished as runners-up in the very first season in 2008. They went on to win their maiden title in 2010 and successfully defended it in 2011, becoming the first team to win back-to-back IPL titles. In total, Dhoni led CSK to five IPL championships between 2008 and 2023.

CSK is also known as one of the most consistent teams in the tournament, having reached the playoffs in 12 different seasons. Ahead of the 2024 season, Dhoni stepped down as captain and handed over the role to Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, Dhoni had to return as captain in 2025 after Gaikwad was sidelined due to injury.

This year, Dhoni will turn 44. His retirement from the IPL has been a topic of widespread speculation for the past few seasons. He retired from international cricket in 2019 but has continued playing in the IPL. Before the start of IPL 2025, CSK retained him as an uncapped player for INR 4 crore.

However, IPL 2025 turned out to be one of the most disappointing seasons for Dhoni, both as a batsman and a captain. CSK became the first team to be knocked out of the playoffs race, and Dhoni managed to score only 196 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 135.17.

Given his struggles with both leadership and form, speculation around his retirement has only intensified. After CSK’s final game of the season, MS Dh onidid not confirm whether he would retire or return for the next edition in 2026.

Why MS Dhoni should return in IPL 2026?

Valuable Mentor for Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad

MS Dhoni has vast experience and a successful track record as captain, both in international cricket and the IPL.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the new CSK captain, lacks leadership experience.
His captaincy in the ongoing league has not been very impressive.
MS Dhoni plays a crucial supporting role on the field to guide and mentor Gaikwad.
His presence in the squad is a major asset for Gaikwad’s growth as a leader.

Strong Lower-Order Batsman

Dhoni’s batting in IPL 2025 hasn’t been impactful.
However, he performed exceptionally well in the previous two IPL seasons as a lower-order batsman.
He had a strike rate of 220.55 in 2024 and 182.46 in 2023.
This shows his ability to handle pressure situations effectively.
One underwhelming season doesn’t take away his value in the lower order.

Impressive Fitness Despite Age

MS Dhoni is 43 years old but still maintains excellent fitness levels.
He underwent knee surgery after IPL 2023, yet it hasn’t affected his on-field performance.
Remarkably, he hasn’t missed a single IPL match for CSK in the last three seasons due to fitness issues.
He continues to prove that ‘age is just a number’.

Why MS Dhoni should not return in IPL 2026?

Age Factor

One of the major concerns regarding MS Dhoni playing in IPL 2026 is his age.
He will turn 44 in July 2025 and will be close to 45 by the next season.
Reflexes naturally slow down with age, which was noticeable in IPL 2025.
He looked rusty behind the stumps and slow while running between the wickets.
With the league becoming faster and more competitive, age won’t work in his favour next season.

Poor Batting Performance in IPL 2025

MS Dhoni struggled with the bat during IPL 2025.
He batted low in the order in most games, sometimes even at number 8 or lower.
MS Dhoni scored only 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.20.
Most of his runs came when the match result was already decided.
He had visible difficulties against spin bowling and struggled to rotate the strike—something that was his strength in earlier days.
These signs suggest his playing days in the IPL might be over.

Blocking Opportunities for Young Players

MS Dhoni continued presence in the CSK team could block opportunities for younger players.
The team already has several senior players, and there’s a pressing need to bring in young talent, especially in T20 cricket.
His inclusion in the squad limits chances for a young keeper-batter who could serve the franchise for years to come.