Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina has declined to comment on whether MS Dhoni will feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027. Raina shares a close bond with the legendary wicketkeeper-batter, whose future in the tournament remains a talking point among fans.

Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, continues to attract attention whenever discussions turn to the IPL. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon has won five IPL titles as captain, sharing the record for the most titles as a skipper in the tournament.

The 44-year-old missed the whole IPL 2026 season due to injuries. He initially suffered a calf strain during the pre-season camp, which recurred during his recovery. A subsequent thumb injury further affected his campaign.

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With speculation continuing over whether Dhoni will return for IPL 2027, Raina was asked about his former India teammate during an exclusive interaction with The Daily Jagran at the Indian Softball Cricket League (ISCL) Season 2 jersey unveiling event in New Delhi. However, the former India batter chose not to comment on the matter.

Suresh Raina Explains Why Tennis-Ball Cricket Is Not Easy

Apart from Dhoni’s IPL future, Raina also spoke about the importance of tennis-ball cricket and the skills required to play it. The former India all-rounder said that batting and bowling with a tennis ball can be challenging, despite the common perception that it is easier than playing with a leather ball.

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Raina also recalled how India’s coaching staff, led by Gary Kirsten during the 2011 ODI World Cup, used tennis-ball practice as part of the team’s preparations.

What Is ISCL?

The Indian Softball Cricket League (ISCL) is India’s first professionally organised, interstate softball, tennis ball cricket league. It is designed to elevate grassroots and gully cricket talent onto a national stage. The ISCL unveiled the jerseys for its second season at an event in New Delhi on Saturday.

The tournament is scheduled to feature 127 matches in Bengaluru, with the second season set to run from November 25 to December 30, 2026. The league aims to provide a platform for players to showcase their talent through softball cricket.