MS Dhoni Should Retire If Used as Impact Player: Aakash Chopra

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will enter the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League under pressure after enduring their worst-ever campaign in 2025, finishing at the bottom of the table.

For a franchise synonymous with consistency and resilience, the result came as a major shock to its supporters.

In response, the management has undertaken a significant overhaul of the squad, blending youth with experience, while MS Dhoni continues to remain a guiding presence within the setup.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra stirred the debate around Dhoni’s role, stating that the CSK veteran cannot continue as an Impact Player and should consider retirement if that becomes the case.

“You do not run the team from the dugout, it's not football. In cricket, you need to be on the field, and MS Dhoni's biggest asset is his ability to read the game better than anybody else,” said Aakash Chopra on JioStar's 'IPL Today Live'.

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“That clarity and conviction are what make him who he is. In any case, I feel this could be his last season. He has the heir apparent now. Sanju Samson will eventually don the gloves, it could even happen at some stage during this season,” he added.

The question surrounding Dhoni’s future has once again taken centre stage heading into the new season.

With Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the side and Sanju Samson arriving from Rajasthan Royals, speculation has intensified over whether this could be Dhoni’s final appearance in CSK colours.

The veteran has been battling persistent knee issues and acknowledged during the ‘ROAR 26’ fan event at Chepauk that his fitness “is on the way down”.

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These concerns have pushed him into a lower-middle-order role, where he has focused on finishing games with impactful hitting during the death overs.

In 278 IPL matches, Dhoni has scored 5,439 runs in 242 innings at an average of 38.30 and a strike rate of 137.45, with 24 fifties and a highest score of 84 not out, making him the sixth-highest run-scorer in the tournament’s history.

Chopra also suggested that Dhoni may no longer be the “unofficial captain” of the side, highlighting a shift in team dynamics amid the influx of younger players.

“There is a small analogy. If you want your baby to start walking, you need to hold their hand and teach them. But if you want them to run, you need to let go. If you keep holding on, they will never learn to run. From Dhoni's point of view, if somebody has been appointed as the next Captain, then he has to take a backseat, and I think he already has,” he said.

“If you look at the auction and the way the team has been built, it is not the team MS Dhoni would have built if it were left entirely to him,” Aakash Chopra said.

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“Would he go with these many youngsters in one go? This is Ruturaj Gaikwad's team. MS Dhoni will observe things and not say much. He might offer advice here and there, but that's where it stops,” he added.

“He did that well with Virat Kohli at the international level as well, allowing them to grow and prosper. And if they seek help, he is always there,” Aakash said.

CSK’s rebuild has been marked by a conscious attempt to move away from the ‘Daddy’s Army’ tag associated with an ageing squad in previous years.

The franchise has invested in youth, bringing in players such as Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel, while also signing Nathan Ellis and Sarfaraz Khan.

Big-money acquisitions Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, both signed for Rs 14.20 crore, underline this shift, with Veer being viewed as a potential replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, who has been traded to Rajasthan Royals.

Is Chennai Super Kings’ Bowling Attack Too Weak for IPL 2026?

Despite the refreshed squad, concerns remain. The bowling attack appears vulnerable following the exits of Matheesha Pathirana and Sam Curran.

While Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis and Jamie Overton offer promise, the pace unit lacks the depth seen in rival teams. The addition of Matt Henry provides experience, though his adaptation to Chepauk conditions remains to be seen.

Leadership transition also looms as a key challenge. With Jadeja’s departure and Dhoni nearing retirement, Gaikwad is expected to take over fully, though questions remain over his experience in high-pressure situations.

The team’s reliance on spin could also be tested against sides strong in playing slow bowling.

CSK will also be wary of the pressure that comes with rebuilding after a last-place finish, leaving little margin for a slow start to the campaign.

(With inputs from ANI)