Former India spinner Anil Kumble has suggested that MS Dhoni could stay out of Chennai Super Kings’ line-up this IPL season, even if he regains full match fitness, because the franchise prefers to protect a settled winning formula.
Speaking on Star Sports, Kumble said Dhoni has been putting in plenty of work away from the spotlight to get back to peak fitness. He has also started keeping wicket again in net sessions, something Kumble noted the CSK great seldom does in practice.
Loyalty to a winning combination
Even so, Kumble reasoned that CSK are a team that backs its players and avoids unnecessary tinkering. In his view, Dhoni himself might decide against upsetting a combination that has served the side well in the current campaign, even once he is available again.
Where CSK stand
Chennai are currently sixth in the standings with five wins from their first 10 games. They have completed league doubles over both Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals and have also beaten Kolkata Knight Riders.
The five-time champions still have four matches left, and Kumble’s assessment comes with the context that they need to win all of them to improve their chances of reaching the IPL 2026 playoffs. Whether Dhoni features in that run remains an open question for now.
