Speculation around MS Dhoni’s future in the IPL continues, and former India pacer Zaheer Khan feels the legendary captain may delay his retirement decision for at least one more season. According to Zaheer, Dhoni is likely to spend the off-season checking how his body responds before deciding whether to return for another IPL campaign.

Why did MS Dhoni miss IPL 2026?

Dhoni had a difficult IPL 2026 season as Chennai Super Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight year. Fitness problems troubled him throughout the tournament. A calf injury during pre-season kept him out of the early matches, and later a thumb injury ended any hopes of him making a comeback before the season finished.

Will Dhoni feature in IPL 2027?

“After the off-season he (Dhoni) will see how his body is feeling," Zaheer said on Cricbuzz. “When it comes to the big auction, and I think the kind of direction which CSK has gone in, which is investing heavily in youngsters, when you’re retaining them, you have two slots of uncapped players."

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He continued, “This year CSK maybe in the beginning of the cycle, they used MSD as an uncapped option? So, if they find someone who is going to take the franchise forward, then MS himself, like how he decided that okay, he’s going to be an uncapped player, use that for his advantage, for the franchise’s advantage, so he will look at it that way.

“So if you have that kind of approach, then the next year becomes important for him to come back and then take that call once it comes to the big auction. If you ask him, he’s going to say that, ‘Okay, I’ll see how the off-season goes,’ which every year he’s been doing, isn’t it?"

Murali Kartik on Dhoni's plans for IPL 2027

Former India spinner Murali Kartik, who was also part of the discussion, said it is nearly impossible to predict what Dhoni will decide. He pointed out that Dhoni has always kept his plans private and has surprised fans many times in the past.

Kartik also said that while many may feel retirement is the logical step because of Dhoni’s age and fitness struggles, the emotional connection between Dhoni and CSK fans is much bigger than simple cricket logic.

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He added that Dhoni has often done the unexpected during his career, so another surprise return next season cannot be ruled out.

“The one thing which you know for a fact with MSD is you don’t know what he’s going to do," Kartik said. “I’ve always said he never allows the left hand to know what his right hand is thinking, so we could be sitting here and talk till the cows come home and not figure out what MSD is thinking."

“Having said that, a part of me felt, what, he’s 43, 44? So, he might play and maybe just surprise everyone. So next year could be another surprise. It’s very difficult to predict with MSD. he’s an emotion, any CSK supporter would want him in those yellows all the time – whether he does anything or nothing, it’s immaterial. And certain logics don’t go with emotions," he added.


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