MS Dhoni [Source: AFP]MS Dhoni's future in Indian Premier League continues to be a major talking point among cricket fans. After missing the entire IPL 2026 season due to injury, fresh reports suggest that the legendary wicketkeeper-batter is unlikely to play IPL 2027 as a player.Instead, Dhoni is expected to continue his association with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by taking up a bigger role behind the scenes. While there has been no official confirmation from either the player or the franchise, reports indicate that his journey with CSK is far from over.MS Dhoni Unlikely To Play IPL 2027 As PlayerAccording to sports journalist Rohit Juglan, MS Dhoni is not expected to return as a player in IPL 2027. However, he is likely to remain an important part of CSK by joining the team's coaching setup or taking up a mentoring role.Notably, this comes as a major development for CSK fans, as Dhoni has been the face of the franchise since the inaugural IPL season. Although he might no longer be seen on the field, his experience and leadership are expected to continue benefiting the team from the dressing room.Arav @context313 🚨 According to Rohit Juglan, MS Dhoni is unlikely to feature as a player next season. He could instead join Chennai Super Kings in a mentor’s role next year. Jul 30, 2026, 2:19 AM It is worth mentioning that Dhoni has not played for CSK since 2025 season. He missed the entire IPL 2026 campaign after struggling with multiple injuries. His troubles began before the tournament when he suffered a calf strain during the pre-season, forcing him to miss the opening phase. Later, he picked up a thumb injury, which ruled out any possibility of making a comeback during the season.As a result, Dhoni didn't feature in a single match throughout IPL 2026. Meanwhile, CSK endured another disappointing campaign and failed to qualify for the playoffs for 3rd consecutive season.Also Read: CSK Fans Demand Ravindra Jadeja’s Re-Entry After Latest Comments On MS DhoniMS Dhoni's Incredible Journey With CSKMS Dhoni's bond with CSK is one of the strongest player-franchise relationships in IPL history. Notably, the franchise signed Dhoni for a record $1.5 million at the inaugural IPL auction in 2008. Since then, he has remained the face of CSK.The only exception came in 2016 and 2017 when CSK was suspended for 2 seasons. During that period, Dhoni represented Rising Pune Supergiants before returning to Chennai in 2018.Over the course of his IPL career, Dhoni has played 278 matches and scored 5,439 runs at an average of 38.30, including 24 half-centuries.How Successful Has MS Dhoni Been As A Mentor?If Dhoni takes up a mentoring role with CSK, it will not be his first experience guiding a team from outside playing XI.Ahead of 2021 T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed him as the official mentor of the Indian team. Working alongside head coach Ravi Shastri, Dhoni shared his experience with the squad throughout the tournament.Under his mentorship, India won 3 of their five matches, defeating Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia. However, losses against Pakistan and New Zealand proved costly, as the team failed to reach the semi-finals.It is also important to note that recently, CSK and Stephen Fleming mutually parted ways after a tenure of 18 years. So, if MS Dhoni joins CSK as a mentor or coach, his presence could play a key role in shaping the franchise's next generation of players.Also Read: Pakistan Coach Who Quit Days Before, Joins Afghanistan Team
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