MS Dhoni Confirms To Play IPL 2026: CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan Puts Speculations To Rest

MS Dhoni News: Former India Cricketer MS Dhoni will continue to entertain Cricket fans in the Indian Premier League in the upcoming edition. As per a report, Dhoni has indeed done a 'definitely not' to people anticipating that the 2025 edition was the final season as a player for him. The report in Cricbuzz stated that CSK (Chennai Super Kings) CEO has confirmed Dhoni's participation in IPL 2026. CSK's CEO Kasi Viswanathan, with his confirmation, has put all the speculations to rest.

Viswanathan, on Friday, told Cricbuzz, "MS has told us that he will be available for the next season."

Viswanathan, who has served as the CEO for the franchise for a long time, is considered close to the owner, N Srinivasan. Will 2026 be the final season? Viswanathan has remained tight-lipped over the possibility. For the first time in IPL history, CSK finished in the final spot in the points table in the 2025 edition last year. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad got ruled out due to injury, as Dhoni had to lead the side in his absence.

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Since the inception of CSK, Dhoni has been part of the franchise for all but two seasons when the Super Kings faced suspension. If he participates next season, it will mark his 17th season with the team and his 19th overall in the IPL, as he has been involved in the league since it began in 2008. 

While reflecting on CSK's performance, Dhoni had said that the squad had holes to be plugged.

“There were certain holes that we need to plug in. I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. A small auction is coming in December. You know some holes are there, and we will try to plug those in. But again, you have to be at your best at the start of the tournament. You have to get the planning right. You have to use the resources in the best possible manner. Even the fans feel disappointed, but also the fact is the players always feel more disappointed than the fans. So we do talk about the processes. But at the same time here, we do want the result to come to our side. Last year wasn’t there. But looking ahead we will try to sort out most of the things. And we will hopefully be at our best,” Dhoni had said.

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“The last couple of years have not been good for us. We have not been up to the mark. Whatever the reasons may be. What is important is to see the learnings. It’s not about what you have done in the past 15-16 years. The next year when you turn up again, you have to start from scratch,” Dhoni concluded.