The buzz around MS Dhoni and his IPL future is getting bigger with each passing day. MS Dhoni has not played a single match for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL 2026 due to a calf injury, which has led to massive speculation among fans and cricket pundits.
The great wicketkeeper is still undergoing his rehab, and has reportedly not regained his full fitness yet, which is why he has not made himself available for selection for CSK this season. But many media reports said that he will retire from the game on May 18.
MS Dhoni’s future has become the biggest topic of discussion amid IPL 2026.
However, former Australian captain Michael Clarke believes that people should stop pushing Dhoni towards retirement. Clarke believes that Dhoni is still very important for Chennai Super Kings and Indian cricket, even if he is no longer playing every match.
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Dhoni suffered a calf injury during CSK’s pre-season training camp earlier this year and has been recovering from it since then. He has missed all 10 matches for CSK this season. In the last few seasons, Dhoni’s batting role had also become smaller as he used to bat at No. 7 or No. 8, leading many to think that the playing career of the great wicketkeeper-batsman was almost over.
MS Dhoni is CSK: Michael Clarke
But Clarke feels that Dhoni still holds immense value for the team with his wicket-keeping, experience and presence in the dressing room. “MS Dhoni is CSK. If you go to watch a CSK game, everyone has the yellow jersey number 7,” Michael Clarke said on the Beyond23 cricket podcast.
Talking about the sponsors coming to the team, every sponsor would want MS Dhoni to be a part of that team. He is important in India and CSK. However, age should not matter. No one can convince me that there is a better keeper than MS Dhoni. He is still the best wicketkeeper in T20. He is also kind of unique. Therefore, people need to be careful while wishing him to retire.”
Clarke urges Indians not to push Dhoni towards retirement
Another reason why Clarke wants fans to be able to enjoy Dhoni’s game for a long time is that he feels the former Indian captain will not be associated with the game after retirement.
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The former Australian star said, “When he retires, we probably won’t see him involved in cricket. He definitely won’t be doing commentary. I doubt he will continue with CSK as a mentor. I can’t imagine him going into coaching. So, I would urge people not to rule him out too soon and try to keep him involved in the game.”
Michael Clarke dismisses criticism over MS Dhoni’s batting position
Clarke also said that Dhoni’s role in the CSK team has changed with time, so even if he bats lower down the order or plays a smaller role with the bat, he still remains important to the team.
He said, “There is also talk that he will have to bat higher up the order. No, it is not so. There are many wicketkeepers who are not good to bat in the top four. They come and work at No. 5, 6 or 7. Dhoni can do that. He does not need a C in his name to become a captain. He can help as a leader and a senior player even without being the captain.”
