Irfan Pathan Drops Dhoni From CSK's Best XI, Picks Sarfaraz Khan Ahead of IPL 2026
Irfan Pathan excludes Dhoni from CSK's strongest XI, saying his two-over cameos don't benefit the team.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has sparked debate ahead of Indian Premier League 2026 by leaving MS Dhoni out of his strongest playing XI for Chennai Super Kings. The exclusion of the veteran wicketkeeper-batter has come as a surprise given his long-standing influence in the franchise.
Pathan questioned Dhoni’s current role in the team, suggesting that his limited batting time in recent seasons does not significantly benefit the side. He pointed out that Dhoni often bats for only a couple of overs, which, while entertaining for fans, may not add much value in terms of team performance.
The former cricketer added that if Dhoni is to feature regularly, he should take on a more substantial role with the bat. According to Pathan, a longer stay at the crease would justify his place in the XI, otherwise the team might be better served by giving opportunities to other players.
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In his preferred lineup, Pathan backed Sarfaraz Khan for a middle-order spot, highlighting the need for players who can contribute more consistently with the bat. He also included uncapped talents like Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, indicating a shift towards youth and long-term team building.
For overseas options, Pathan picked players such as Dewald Brevis, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry and Noor Ahmad, forming a balanced combination of batting firepower and bowling depth.
Dhoni, who has gradually moved down the batting order in recent seasons, has often utilised the Impact Player rule to maximise team flexibility. However, Pathan’s comments underline a growing conversation around the veteran’s role as CSK prepares for another IPL campaign under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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