MS Dhoni will play full IPL 2026 season, can't talk about his role: CSK CEO

MS Dhoni will play the full season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, and the coaching staff will take a call on his role, Chennai Super Kings Chief Executive Officer Kasi Viswanathan said on Wednesday, March 11. Dhoni began training for the new season in Chennai earlier this month, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the preparations.

Speculation about MS Dhoni's future was rife after CSK traded Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals. Quite a few saw it as MS Dhoni's move to allow himself the chance not to



play the full season and instead take up a reduced role with the five-time champions.

However, Dhoni arrived in Chennai in the first week of March and trained hard with the rest of his teammates. At 44, Dhoni looked fit and ready for the hard grind of a two-month-long season. Notably, Dhoni had begun preparing for the upcoming season as early as last month with light net sessions in Ranchi.

"He will play the matches, all matches," Kasi Viswanathan told reporters in Chennai.