Tragedy Strikes CSK Around MS Dhoni Just Ahead of IPL 2026

CSK retained MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2026 for INR 4 cr (PC: AFP)

The 44-year-old MS Dhoni is synonymous with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League. Famously known as Thala, he was retained by the IPL franchise ahead of the mini-auction as an uncapped player at a price of INR 4 crore. However, it has now been understood that the former Indian captain might give the team management a headache.

With the IPL 2026 almost a month away, a news is getting floated from the CSK camp about the five-time championship-winning captain, MSD.

Dark clouds over MSD's participation in IPL 2026

A top source within the franchise reportedly confirmed that Dhoni will soon head to Chennai ahead of the season, but it's still unclear whether he will play all matches.

"We can confirm this much that he is coming to Chennai and had confirmed his availability for the season," the source close to CSK told PTI. "Whether he will play all games or not is something we can't say at the moment," the source added.

Dhoni, who will turn 45 this July, hasn't missed even a single game since IPL 2019 despite managing a chronic left knee injury from the 2023 IPL.

Dhoni's replacements in CSK squad

Notably, the CSK franchise has bagged the services of Sanju Samson in a lucrative deal with the Rajasthan Royals, by letting go of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson, who is currently a part of the Indian side for the T20 World Cup 2026, is seen as a back-up for Dhoni, but will bat in the top order.

Additionally, the five-time winning team bought a 19-year-old young keeper from Rajasthan, Karan Sharma, for a record-breaking INR 14.2 crore. Meanwhile, Urvil Patel, who debuted last season, was retained by the Super Kings. Whereas, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad kept the wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL).

CSK's woeful run in IPL of late

Under the astute leadership of MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings won their fifth IPL title back in 2023, when Jadeja won it with a famous victory over the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. However, since then, the franchise has failed to even qualify for the playoffs, finishing in fifth and at last place in the previous two editions.

Interestingly, Dhoni took over CSK's reins last season after Gaikwad broke his right elbow during the game against the Rajasthan Royals. Although the franchise lost six games (out of nine) under Thala, they opted for younger bloods over tried and tested talents, which has been the template for the upcoming season as well.