Mahendra Singh Dhoni He is yet to feature in IPL 2026 as he is recovering from a knee injury. His return is uncertain, with no clear timeline set for his return. has suffered a blow. Chennai Super Kingsespecially after he was initially expected to miss the opening stages of the tournament. However, another setback to his recovery reportedly came when the injury flared up again during a training session. Even in his absence DhoniHis presence dominates CSK matches. Stadiums are packed for every game, the sea of yellow jerseys and number 7 shirts reflecting the enduring bond between the player and his fans. Nevertheless, the long wait for his return has increasingly frustrated supporters, with speculation mounting before each match as to whether he could finally be included in the playing XI.
There have also been concerns about his future in the IPL. With recurring knee problems and age becoming a factor, there is growing talk that IPL 2026 could potentially be his last season. Some believe the tournament could mark the end of the reign of one of the most influential figures in league history. Amid this uncertainty, the former Australian captain Michael Clarke Strongly defended Dhoni, urging critics not to rush into retirement talks. Clarke emphasized Dhoni’s unparalleled impact on Chennai Super Kings and his continued importance to the game. “MS Dhoni is CSK. If you go to watch a CSK match, everyone has the yellow jersey of number 7. In terms of sponsors coming into the team, every sponsor would want MS Dhoni to be part of the team. He is equally important in India and CSK. Age doesn’t matter, though. No one can convince me that MS Dhoni is a better keeper than MS Dhoni. He is still the best wicketkeeper in T20. He is also one of a kind. So people need to be careful about wishing him to retire,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 cricket podcast. Clarke also suggested that Dhoni may not be involved in the game post-retirement in any formal capacity. “When he retires, we probably won’t see him in cricket. He certainly won’t comment. I doubt he will stay with CSK as a mentor. I can’t imagine him coaching. So I would urge people not to wish for an early exit and try to keep him in the game,” he added.
