Controversies find their way to MS Dhoni. Through two decades of international cricket and an equally long association with the IPL, the former India captain has mostly preferred silence over rebuttal. On Tuesday, that silence was perhaps vindicated.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cleared Dhoni of conflict of interest allegations, bringing an end to a complaint that had questioned the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran’s association with cricket academies while still being an active player.
The order was passed by BCCI Ethics Officer Justice Arun Mishra (Retd), who dismissed the complaint after concluding that no violation of the board’s conflict of interest regulations had taken place.
The complaint, filed in February 2024, had argued that Dhoni breached the BCCI’s rules by being both a “current player” and linked to cricket academies run by Aarka Sports and Management Private Limited. It also alleged that he had failed to comply with disclosure norms following amendments made to the conflict of interest rules in 2018.
Catch CSK’s entire IPL 2026 schedule here.
Justice Mishra, however, noted that the agreement concerning the academies had been signed well before the revised regulations came into force.
“Shri MS Dhoni can be said to be the owner of the cricket academies opened by M/s Aarka Sports and Management Private Limited. However, the agreement was entered into in 2017, whereas the regulations came into force in September 2018,” the order stated. “On facts, conflict of interest at the relevant time when Shri MS Dhoni represented India as captain or player has not been made out.”
Decision clears path for Dhoni’s IPL 2026 campaign
The ruling removes any uncertainty surrounding Dhoni’s participation in IPL 2026, if there were any. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter has already been retained by CSK and is expected to feature throughout the season. CSK’s CEO recently confirmed that Dhoni should be available for all matches in the upcoming campaign.
The five-time IPL champions will begin their season on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati before returning home to face Punjab Kings in Chennai on April 3. A high-profile encounter against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru follows on April 5.
Even at 44, Dhoni remains synonymous with the IPL. Fans turn up in the yellow of CSK even when they are not the franchise’s fan juts because of ‘Thala’. That’s the charisma of Dhoni, who stole the limelight with his presence at the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final and final as well.
Only days ago, he congratulated the Indian team after their T20 World Cup triumph in Ahmedabad, posting a rare message on social media that praised head coach Gautam Gambhir and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
“History gets created at Ahmedabad, big congratulations to the team and support staff and to all the fans of Indian Cricket Team worldwide,” Dhoni wrote. “Coach sahab smile looks great on you, intensity with smile is a killer combo… (Bumrah ke baare mein kuch na likhoon tou hi acha hai. Champion bowler).” Gambhir responded warmly, thanking the former captain for the message.
