With MS Dhoni already 44, fans have been wondering about his role within the Chennai Super Kings setup for IPL 2026. Many fans wondered if he would feature more in the dugout as a mentor, due to Sanju Samson's arrival. Samson can also don the gloves. But it looks like he will be an active player in the upcoming season and will play all matches, according to CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan.
MS Dhoni will be featuring as an active player during IPL 2026. (AFP)
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The CSK veteran has also been training in Chennai since the first week of March. Reportedly, he began his preparations in Ranchi last month.
"He will play the matches, all matches," said Viswanathan, while speaking to reporters.
‘A cricketing decision’
When asked if Dhoni would be used as an Impact Player, he said, "I can't say. That's a cricketing decision which will be taken by the cricketing staff, not by the administrative staff. They will decide whether he is going to play as a batter, or a wicketkeeper-batter or as an Impact Player."
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Dhoni is no longer the CSK captain, but his experience still comes in handy for the franchise during matches. He has captained CSK to the IPL final on ten occasions, winning it five times (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023), a record jointly shared with Rohit Sharma. He has also led CSK to two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014.
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Dhoni is no longer the CSK captain, but his experience still comes in handy for the franchise during matches. He has captained CSK to the IPL final on ten occasions, winning it five times (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023), a record jointly shared with Rohit Sharma. He has also led CSK to two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014.
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Other than Dhoni, CSK also retained Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brewis, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, and Anshul Kamboj. Samson was traded in from RR, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran going the opposite direction.
Meanwhile, during the auction, they broke the bank for uncapped players Prashant Veer ( ₹14.20 crore) and Kartik Sharma ( ₹14.20 crore). They also spent big on international players Akeal Hosein ( ₹2 crore) and Matthew Short ( ₹1.5 crore).
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Home/Cricket/‘MS Dhoni will play all matches’: CSK CEO drops big IPL 2026 update, role to be decided by cricketing staff
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