- Irfan Pathan said the 2026 IPL may be MS Dhoni’s last season with Chennai Super Kings.
- Dhoni has already joined the CSK training camp in Chennai ahead of the tournament.
- Pathan expects Dhoni to focus more on mentoring younger players.
- CSK CEO said Dhoni is available and likely to play all matches this season.
- Experts also discussed squad changes involving Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League could be the last time fans see MS Dhoni playing for the Chennai Super Kings.
As the 2026 IPL season approaches, speculation about Dhoni’s retirement has started again. Many fans and experts believe this season could mark the final chapter of the legendary captain’s IPL career.
The discussion grew stronger after Chennai Super Kings traded Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals. Some observers believe this move could allow Dhoni to reduce his on-field role while continuing to guide the team as a senior mentor.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s show “Game Plan,” Pathan said it would be difficult to imagine the IPL or Chennai Super Kings without Dhoni.
According to Pathan, “CSK is incomplete without MS Dhoni. This season might be the last time we see him in the yellow jersey. It is hard to imagine CSK and the IPL without him.”
He also said Dhoni still looks physically prepared for the tournament. Pathan noted that whenever the IPL season arrives, Dhoni returns looking fit and ready to compete.
The 44-year-old veteran has already joined the CSK training camp in Chennai earlier this month. He has been practicing with the squad led by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Pathan believes Dhoni’s role this season could be more focused on leadership and guidance rather than playing every match.
He said Dhoni’s presence in the dressing room will help bring the team together and support the younger leaders in the squad. Players like Samson and Gaikwad could benefit from being part of the leadership group and learning from Dhoni’s experience.
Pathan also said the team management will carefully decide how often Dhoni plays. Questions about his fitness, batting position, and match participation will continue, but the franchise is expected to handle the situation step by step.
He added that the team would likely want to give Dhoni a memorable farewell by aiming to win a sixth IPL title.
Dhoni has played 278 matches in the IPL across two teams — Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant. The latter was his team during the 2016 and 2017 seasons when CSK were suspended from the tournament.
Over his IPL career, Dhoni has scored 5,439 runs and remains one of the most successful captains in the league’s history.
Last season, Dhoni mostly appeared in short batting cameos during the final overs of matches. He scored 196 runs in 13 innings.
However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently said that Dhoni is available for the entire 2026 season and is expected to play all matches.
Pathan also said that younger players must gradually take on more responsibility within the franchise. He mentioned talents such as Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, and captain Gaikwad as players who could lead the team in the future.
Meanwhile, squad changes have also affected other teams. The trade between CSK and Rajasthan Royals brought Ravindra Jadeja back to Rajasthan, while the franchise had earlier released star batter Jos Buttler.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar said Rajasthan Royals’ young players will now need to step up after losing two experienced batters.
Bangar added that new captain Riyan Parag will have an important role as the team begins its season in Guwahati, where he will receive strong support from local fans.
At the same time, former India opener Abhinav Mukund expressed concerns about the early schedule for Sunrisers Hyderabad and the availability of their captain Pat Cummins.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their IPL campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28. They will then face the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 2 before playing at home against the Lucknow Super Giants on April 5.
