The question around MS Dhoni’s future refuses to go away, but this time, the answer feels clearer than ever. At least, someone from Dhoni’s close quarters feels that this upcoming year will be Dhoni’s final season in the IPL as a player. Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Robin Uthappa believes IPL 2026 will be Dhoni’s final season as a player, pointing to CSK’s youth-heavy approach at the IPL 2026 mini auction.
Speaking during the IPL 2026 mini-auction coverage, Uthappa said there should now be little doubt about Dhoni’s plans beyond this season.
“I think the writing is on the wall. This is clearly going to be MS Dhoni’s last season. No more conjecture, no more speculation about whether he is going to play another year or not. This year, he will be well and truly done,” Uthappa said to JioHotstar.
CKS look at life beyond Dhoni at IPL auction
CSK’s approach at the auction only strengthened that belief of Uthappa. A franchise once known for backing experience has gone all-in on youth. The five-time champions spent heavily on uncapped Indian players, signing 19-year-old Prashant Veer and 20-year-old Kartik Sharma for Rs 14.2 crore each, making them the joint-most expensive uncapped Indians in IPL auction history. Apart from them, Zak Foulkes is an exciting talent from New Zealand, while Noor Ahmed (20) and Dewald Brevis (22) are still in their early 20s. Uthappa feels this change is not random but part of a long-term plan already set in motion.
“I think all the signs point towards that when you look at the investment in youth and the kind of teams they have picked since last year. They are focused on developing talent, uncovering talent and keeping that talent within the franchise.”
Dhoni, now 44, was retained ahead of IPL 2025 but didn’t cost much (4 crore) as he was retained under the new uncapped player rule. Rule states that a player who hasn’t played an international game in last five years or hasn’t held a BCCI contract. In Dhoni’s case, his last international game was the unfortunate 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final.
Dhoni even stepped in as captain last season when Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured. However, with Sanju Samson now part of the squad and Gaikwad established as leader, the transition appears inevitable. Uthappa believes Dhoni’s influence at CSK will not end when his playing days do. “We all know that if he is not playing, he will be mentoring the side. I think this year he will operate as a mentor-cum-player.“
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