MS Dhoni To Continue With Chennai Super Kings In IPL 2026, Confirms Franchise CEO
The CSK skipper is expected to return for his 17th season with the franchise as speculation over his retirement continues.
Chennai, Nov 8 — Indian cricket icon Mahendra Singh Dhoni is set to don the yellow jersey once again, as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that the legendary skipper is likely to play in the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Dhoni, who has been the face of the franchise since 2008, resumed captaincy midway through the 2025 IPL after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined due to an elbow injury. Despite a disappointing season that saw CSK finish at the bottom of the table with just four wins from 14 matches, the franchise remains optimistic about Dhoni’s return.
“He is likely to play; that is the current status. We have a feeling that he will play in the upcoming IPL,” Viswanathan told IANS on Friday.
Apart from the 2016 and 2017 seasons when CSK was suspended, Dhoni has been an ever-present figure in the team. His participation in IPL 2026 will mark his 17th season with CSK and 19th overall in the league.
So far, Dhoni has featured in 248 matches for Chennai, scoring 4,865 runs and leading them to five IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Overall, he has accumulated 5,439 runs in 278 matches, with 158 catches and 47 stumpings to his name.
With the IPL 2026 retention deadline set for November 15, trade speculations are rife across franchises. Addressing reports of a possible Sanju Samson trade from Rajasthan Royals to CSK, Viswanathan clarified, “No, not likely, not likely.”
Further updates on player retentions and trades are expected in the coming days as teams gear up for the next IPL season.
