Former Indian cricketer Joginder Sharma, best remembered for bowling the iconic final over in the 2007 T20 World Cup under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, has voiced a strong opinion regarding his former skipper’s future in the IPL. According to Joginder, it’s time for Dhoni to bid farewell to the league and consider retirement, despite still maintaining peak fitness.

While Dhoni has not officially announced anything about his plans for IPL 2026, speculation continues to swirl. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend remains a fan favorite, and the sight of him in the yellow jersey still fills stadiums. However, criticism has mounted from several former players who feel Dhoni has overstayed his welcome.
Joginder pointed out that Dhoni’s limited appearances at the crease—usually batting lower down the order after the fall of six or seven wickets—raise questions about his current role and fitness levels. “Given Mahi’s fitness, he could continue if he proves it on the field, but I believe it’s time for him to take a break,” Joginder told ANI.
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Dhoni returned to lead CSK this season after Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an injury, but even his leadership couldn’t rescue the side from a dismal campaign. CSK has had one of their worst seasons ever, winning just three out of their 12 games. After a promising start with a win over Mumbai Indians, the team quickly lost momentum.

In a bid to inject fresh energy, CSK signed three young replacements mid-season—Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, and Urvil Patel—all of whom impressed with the bat. Dhoni is reportedly focused on building a new core group for the future, indicating he still has plans for the franchise, if not as a player.
CSK’s bowling unit also struggled, despite acquiring Ravichandran Ashwin and Noor Ahmad to bolster their spin attack. The Men in Yellow have shockingly managed just one win at their home ground, Chepauk, losing five matches there.
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With just two games left, CSK will face the Rajasthan Royals today—a must-win to avoid finishing last. Their final fixture will be against the table-topping Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 25. All eyes are on Dhoni—whether this is his swansong or just another chapter.