IPL 2026 will see veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni return to the Chennai Super Kings, but former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa thinks this may be his last season in the cash-rich league.
Uthappa stated on JioHotstar that Dhoni is probably going to gradually withdraw from an active playing role.
According to Uthappa, Dhoni might serve as both a player and a mentor this season. The former captain of CSK might bat further down the order, perhaps at No. 8 rather than his customary No. 7 position, he continued.
He claims that Dhoni seems to be getting ready to leave and might try to ease himself out of the starting lineup.
“IPL 2026 is likely to be Dhoni’s last year in the yellow jersey. I see him playing more of a mentor-cum-player role this year. I don’t see him batting at number seven. I see him batting at number eight. Knowing that he is on his way out, he wants to wean himself out. I think he will do that,” said Uthappa.
The 44-year-old is still one of just four players who have participated in every IPL season, along with Manish Pandey, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
He ranks sixth on the list of the greatest run scorers in IPL history with 5,439 runs at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 137 in 278 IPL games.
According to Uthappa, CSK should keep supporting Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain rather than giving Sanju Samson, a recent addition, the reins.
He emphasized that Gaikwad needs time to develop into the position and move out from Dhoni’s shadow. Gaikwad is regarded as a long-term choice and has been the team’s leader since 2024.
“I don’t think CSK should hand over the leadership duties to Sanju Samson. You have to give Ruturaj Gaikwad time to settle as captain. He has been leading the team since 2024.”
“No matter what people say, he is coming out of the shadow of MS Dhoni. You want him to come out completely and stand in his own light. You want to see what he can produce. You want him to lead the team when MS is not playing and stand on his own, without that overwhelming feeling of always being under that energy,”
CSK finished fifth in Gaikwad’s debut season as captain. He was sidelined in the middle of the season due to an injury in the next edition, and Dhoni took over as captain. In the end, CSK came in last on the table.
Gaikwad should have a few more seasons to show himself, according to Uthappa, who also mentioned that Samson might be used as a backup leader if necessary.
“Give Gaikwad a few years. If it doesn’t work, you always have Sanju Samson in the team to handle the captaincy duties,” Uthappa added.
