Will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2027? CSK captain Rutoraj Gaikwad gives ‘next year’ update | Cricket News

MS Dhoni and Rituraj Gaikwad (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

New Delhi: Will MS Dhoni Play in IPL 2027? Dhoni’s future is uncertain as he has not played a single match in IPL 2026. After Chennai Super Kings’ humiliating 89-run defeat by Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2026 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, CSK captain Rutoraj Gaikwad was asked about his team’s disappointing campaign, with the key question being whether Dhoni will be part of the squad next season.When asked “Will MS Dhoni play next year?”, Gaekwad admitted that the dressing room is also uncertain about the veteran’s return to IPL 2027.“Obviously you’ll find out next year. Even I’ll find out next year. It’s definitely a tough, tough memory for us. He’s someone who can strike fear into the opposition, especially in the late overs. Can really change the game, really change the momentum at the crease.” So, he’s someone, we definitely missed a lot this season. But, I mean, we never know about next season, but obviously really happy with the guys we have and, really happy with the experience they got this year,” Gaekwad said.Dhoni was initially ruled out for the first two weeks of the season with a shin injury. However, the former Indian captain never returned as the tournament progressed. He did not even accompany the team to Ahmedabad for their last league match against Gujarat Titans.CSK’s defeat on Thursday officially ended their playoff hopes and their IPL 2026 campaign. He played 14 matches, won 6 and lost 8, finishing with 12 points and a net run rate of -0.345.After CSK came in to bat, Gujarat Titans posted a massive 229/4 through an opening partnership of 125 runs between Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. In reply, CSK failed to mount a challenge and were bowled out for 140 runs.“Yes, keeping that in mind, we wanted to chase that total as soon as possible. And obviously when you’re chasing 230 runs in 20 overs, it’s not going to be easy with their bowling attack. But, why not give it a shot and go out there and express yourself.” And of course he said we all have to play in the outfield.When asked if he had any regrets about winning the toss and opting to field first in the crucial match, Gaekwad said: “Not really, actually. I thought it was a bit fast to begin with. Obviously, they got off to a good start. We had some mistakes in our bowling, we didn’t execute it well in the powerplay, especially for those two. And once their openers get going, they are very hard to stop. So, obviously, even in between, there were stages where we could invest, we could limit them to 200. But we failed to do that today.After three straight wins against CSK, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Supergiants, the momentum lost and then suffered three consecutive defeats against LSG, SRH and GT, which severely damaged their campaign.“Well, tough season to start, especially the hat-trick of losses. And then after that, once we got that momentum, obviously we found the lad playing in the right place, the right combination, everything started to work. And then obviously, a couple of recurring injuries didn’t help much, especially missing Jamie and, you know, playing in another of our all-rounders, Ramkshi, Ramesh Hori. 12. In whatever last three games we played, we were always playing the batter short or the bowler short. So obviously a lot of people don’t buy the fact that we’re a young team, we’re in a transition phase and there aren’t many players who are experienced enough, especially in the toughest competition,” he said.

Summary of CSK’s IPL 2026 season

“But given the fact that more than eight to 10 players who have only played less than 20 games, it’s good to have that exposure, especially this year. We found out what areas we lacked and definitely still got those six wins on the road and some great wins. So really proud of the unit. There were some games, like I said, when we traveled to Hyderabad, 10 to 10, we went from 8 Missed 10 overs and then last time we played in Chennai we could have restricted them to 180. So, a couple of games where we could have just crossed the line, failed to do so, but still, very proud,” Gaikwad said.