As MS Dhoni nears his final chapter as a player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), there is a lot of talk about the keeper-batsman’s role in the upcoming season of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that Dhoni should now play the entire season if the team asks him to play as an impact player.
After the inclusion of Sanju Samson in the team, Dhoni’s role as a keeper-batsman has become doubtful. The team is yet to decide what role they will ask their former captain to contribute to. Some people believe that the experienced player can play as an impact player when the team needs some extra runs in the last moments of the match.
Should MS Dhoni play as an impact batsman in IPL 2026?
Last season, MS Dhoni, who used to bat at number seven, pushed himself down the batting order to allow other players to perform in the middle. IPL 2025 was not one of the best for the former captain.
He scored 196 runs in 14 matches at an average of 24.50 and strike rate of 135.17. Dhoni’s latest trend of coming into the batting order late has increased the chances of seeing him as an impactful batsman in the 2026 season.
Former India and CSK player, Ravichandran Ashwin strongly commented that the 44-year-old should be allowed to play in a full-time role and not as an impact option.
MS Dhoni should not play the entire season: Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Aash Ki Baat’, “I don’t agree that he has to be in the impact list. If he is in the team, he has to play. If he doesn’t want to, he shouldn’t play the whole season. I don’t agree with him being an impact player.”
Ashwin feels that Dhoni will have to play a major role in the upcoming season, mainly because of his leadership qualities.
The former spinner, who played for Chennai Super Kings, has watched ‘Captain Cool’ closely and knows his ability to groom young players. CSK has a lot of emerging talent this year who needs to be nurtured and Dhoni would be the best person to do so.
How will 44-year-old MS Dhoni help CSK in IPL 2026?
Obviously, the experienced keeper-batsman will be helpful for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad in taking decisions at crucial moments.
R Ashwin said, “I think Dhoni will have an important role in supporting this new bowling line-up on the field. I was also there last year. MS Dhoni wanted to play the last three overs. But the top order did not score runs at times and he had to go up.”
He further said, “This time he has added strength to the top order to avoid this. It is possible that this time he will get a chance to bat at the top only in 3-4 matches out of 14 matches, or he will come at the end only. His biggest role will be in keeping, setting the fielding and giving shoulder to Ruturaj.”
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