Whether MS Dhoni will play any part in IPL 2026 is still unclear, and former CSK batter Subramaniam Badrinath has doubts about how the team could fit him in once he is fully fit.
A settled side
Chennai Super Kings appear to have found a stable playing XI, and Badrinath feels that makes it hard to bring Dhoni back in. He does not expect the former India captain to feature in Saturday’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Calling Dhoni the elephant in the room, he said there is no update on his return and that it is a big question who he would replace.
Badrinath went further, suggesting that Dhoni missing another game or two might even help CSK, since the combination has only just clicked. He said he was unsure how the management views the situation, and pointed out that if Dhoni returned, Sanju Samson would also have to field. Even so, he accepted that a comeback would lift the team, particularly in intangible ways.
Where Dhoni stands
Dhoni has not played for CSK this season while recovering from a calf injury. The 44-year-old did travel with the squad to Hyderabad and took part in a net session, but his availability for Saturday remains uncertain.
His last competitive cricket came in IPL 2025, when he played 14 matches and scored 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. He also captained CSK for most of that season while regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was absent.
