IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan believes Chennai Super Kings would feel incomplete without MS Dhoni, who may be playing his final IPL season in 2026. Dhoni, part of the league since its first season, has played for CSK for many years and now prepares for the tournament's 19th edition.
He has featured in 278 matches of this tournament, where he has scored 5439 runs in this time period. The ex-India skipper has helped CSK win the IPL title five times as its captain, then stepped down during the 2024 edition. He did lead the Chennai-based franchise from the front for a while last year, after Ruturaj Gaikwad had to pull out due to an injury.
During an interaction on JioHotstar, Pathan emphasized the difficulty of imagining CSK and the IPL without Dhoni and said he will try to unite the team this year. The former Indian cricketer believes Dhoni will mentor Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad for leadership roles.
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“ CSK is incomplete without MS Dhoni. This season might be his last in the yellow jersey, and it's tough to imagine CSK and the IPL without him. Dhoni will play an important role in bringing the team together. I’m not sure how many games he will play, but his dressing room presence will be vital. Sanju will benefit as part of the leadership group, while Ruturaj Gaikwad leads. A few players are being groomed for the future," Irfan Pathan said on JioHotstar.
"That is where MS Dhoni comes in. I hope he makes a difference. Questions about his fitness, batting position, and match appearances will still come up. The CSK team management will take it step by step and hopes to give him a perfect farewell with a sixth IPL trophy,” he concluded.
Speculation continues over whether Dhoni will play the entire IPL 2026 season.
Although there is uncertainty about his participation, CEO Kasi Vishwanath stated that Dhoni is set to play all matches, with his role to be decided by team management.