Speculation surrounding MS Dhoni’s IPL future continues to dominate conversations after Chennai Super Kings endured another disappointing campaign in IPL 2026. While fans continue to wonder whether the legendary wicketkeeper-batter has already played his final game in yellow, former India pacer Zaheer Khan believes Dhoni could still delay retirement and return for one more season.
CSK’s IPL 2026 season ended in disappointment after the franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Dhoni, meanwhile, did not feature in a single match due to recurring fitness concerns. A calf strain suffered during the pre-season kept him out of the early phase of the tournament, while a thumb injury later in the campaign completely ruled out any hopes of a comeback.
Despite the uncertainty, Zaheer feels Dhoni is unlikely to make an immediate retirement decision and will first evaluate his physical condition during the off-season before deciding on IPL 2027. “After the off-season, he will see how his body is feeling,” Zaheer Khan said during a discussion on Cricbuzz.
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The former India fast bowler also pointed towards Chennai Super Kings’ evolving squad strategy, particularly their increased investment in young players during the current IPL cycle. Zaheer explained that Dhoni’s role within the franchise could continue to evolve depending on how CSK approaches future squad planning ahead of the next mega auction.
“When it comes to the big auction and the direction CSK are moving in with youngsters, Dhoni will also think about what benefits the franchise most,” Zaheer Khan explained.
He added that Dhoni’s earlier decision to continue as an uncapped player already showed how willing he is to adapt for the team’s long-term plans.
“If the franchise finds the right combination moving forward, MS could still return for another season before taking a final call closer to the next major auction cycle,” Zaheer added. Former India spinner Murali Kartik also admitted that predicting Dhoni’s next move has never been easy throughout his career.
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“The one thing you know about MS Dhoni is that nobody truly knows what he’s thinking,” Kartik said. Kartik further explained that while logic may suggest retirement because of Dhoni’s age and fitness struggles, emotions often outweigh cricketing logic when it comes to the CSK icon. “He’s more than just a cricketer for CSK fans. He’s an emotion. Whether he scores runs or not almost becomes secondary for supporters who simply want to see him in yellow,” Kartik added.
At 44, Dhoni continues to remain the emotional heartbeat of Chennai Super Kings, and until an official announcement arrives, the possibility of one final IPL season cannot be completely ruled out.
