Badrinath: Dhoni Wants to Keep Wickets, Not Be CSK’s Impact Player
S Badrinath says MS Dhoni prefers to stay on the field for all 20 overs, and questions how Chennai Super Kings used the Impact Player rule in IPL 2026.
By SportCricket Desk · 3 Sep 2026 · 3 min read
Former Chennai Super Kings batter S Badrinath says MS Dhoni does not want to be used as an Impact Player. According to Badrinath, Dhoni has told him he wants to be on the field for the full 20 overs whenever he plays, because he regards wicketkeeping as an essential part of his role.
Workload and the rule
Badrinath accepts that Dhoni’s physical workload is a real consideration. He pointed to earlier remarks from former CSK head coach Stephen Fleming about the veteran’s fitness, and felt the rule could be tactically useful for the franchise given Dhoni’s limited workload and batting position. Dhoni’s own preference, though, is to keep wickets throughout the innings.
Criticism of CSK’s approach
Badrinath also criticised how the franchise handled the rule in IPL 2026. He cited Shivam Dube, who has bowled for India but was not used consistently with the ball by CSK. In his view the issue was the team’s strategy, not the rule.
He raised concerns about West Indies all-rounder Akeal Hosein too, arguing that Hosein should have been a regular in the XI rather than waiting on the Impact Player bench. Squad decisions, he suggested, sometimes meant CSK gave up a quality all-rounder unnecessarily.
Another difficult season
The debate follows a poor campaign. Chennai finished eighth in the IPL 2026 table and missed the playoffs for a third season running.
With questions over player usage, squad balance and tactics, CSK will need to reassess before the next season, and Dhoni’s possible role will stay a talking point as the franchise plans ahead.
