MS Dhoni to Take on 'Mentor-cum-Player' Role in IPL 2026, Predicts Robin Uthappa
MS Dhoni may play mentor-cum-player role in IPL 2026, potentially his final season with CSK.
Former India and Chennai Super Kings Cricketer Robin Uthappa has speculated that Veteran Wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni could take on a new role during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Speaking on JioHotstar, Uthappa suggested that Dhoni might play primarily as a mentor-cum-player and that IPL 2026 could mark his final season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Uthappa predicted that Dhoni would likely bat lower in the order, at No. 8 instead of his usual positions, reflecting a gradual transition from active play. “Knowing that he is on his way out, he wants to wean himself out. I think he will do that,” Uthappa said. The 44-year-old Dhoni remains one of four players to have featured in every IPL season, alongside Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Manish Pandey.
Dhoni has played 278 IPL matches, scoring 5,439 runs at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 137, placing him sixth on the list of highest run-scorers in IPL history. Uthappa emphasized that while Dhoni may step back from a leading batting role, his presence will continue to provide strategic guidance and mentorship for younger players within the CSK squad.
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Uthappa also commented on the franchise’s captaincy plans. He suggested that CSK should continue to back 29-year-old Ruturaj Gaikwad as the long-term captain rather than immediately handing leadership duties to newly signed Sanju Samson. Gaikwad has led the team since 2024, but injuries forced him out during last season, requiring Dhoni to assume the captaincy temporarily.
“The team needs to give Gaikwad a few years. If it doesn’t work, you always have Sanju Samson to handle captaincy duties,” Uthappa said. He highlighted the importance of allowing Gaikwad to establish his leadership style independently, stepping out of Dhoni’s shadow and building his own legacy.
As IPL 2026 approaches, speculation around Dhoni’s evolving role reflects the ongoing transition in CSK’s squad, balancing the contributions of veteran players with the development of emerging leaders within the franchise.
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