CSK bowling coach Eric Simmons has put an end to the ongoing debate over MS Dhoni’s availability for the next season and his future at Chennai Super Kings. After not featuring in a single match for CSK this season, he is likely to make a comeback next season.
Chennai Super Kings After a poor start to the season and early setbacks, they bounced back with several consecutive wins. After emerging as a promising team under the captaincy of new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Super Kings earned chances for playoff qualification but ultimately failed to make the playoffs.
They lost several matches due to the bounce and three consecutive defeats at the end of the season took them out of the playoff race. They finished with only six wins on the season and are still rebuilding their core.
Eric Simmons gives update on MS Dhoni’s availability in IPL 2027
For the first time in the history of IPL, Chennai Super Kings have played the entire season without their veteran star. ms dhoni. MS Dhoni had to be ruled out due to some persistent injuries including calf and finger injuries.
“Okay, you’re seriously asking me this question?” When Simmons was asked if the team expected to see MS Dhoni playing next year, he said with a smile. This question remains the focal point amid growing speculation that the former Indian captain may bid farewell to his illustrious career.
“Yeah, look, we always have. I mean, honestly, he’s hit the ball very well. Obviously he had a foot injury that made it very difficult for him to run, so he couldn’t play. But in terms of hitting the ball in the nets, he’s hitting it as good as I’ve seen him hit.”
Also Read: ‘Best IPL 2026 Captain’: Shubman Gill’s T20I captaincy hopes are gaining huge momentum
Has MS Dhoni retired from IPL? CSK management issued ultimatum
After MS Dhoni did not feature in the entire season, the CSK management including Eric Simmons, Stephen Fleming and others have claimed that the decision to feature in any game this season or the upcoming season is up to the cricketer.
“But I keep saying this, only MS will know, and only MS will decide when he is ready and when it is right. And I tell you that, if he knows he is not, he will not play, but if he is right, he will play.
“He will make decisions in the best interests of the team, not as an individual. But it will be great to have him playing. It has been great to have him around the unit and bring him wisdom and peace of mind,” he said.
Simmons mentions ‘need for balance’ within CSK’s young team
Reflecting on the tumultuous nature of CSK’s campaign this year, the bowling coach highlighted that the Super Kings are in a state of growth. It will be difficult for him to handle the burden of expectations as he tried despite untimely injuries.
“I think an important part of winning the IPL is that you get your balance right and you have a team that can push itself, where your changes are made well in advance of the game, not because someone is out of form, but because you are going into a particular situation,” Simmons said.
He said that despite including players like Urvil PatelAyush Mhatre, and Karthik Sharma, it took some time for the team to find balance within the team. He also said that Jamie Overton’s untimely injury was a major blow to his campaign.
He said, “On the whole, we are quite a young or quite inexperienced team, and then along the way we obviously had a number of unfortunate injuries. Just as we were gaining momentum, we lost a player like Jamie Overton, who is a balancing factor in our team.”
Also read: Rajat Patidar injury update: RCB captain out of IPL 2026 playoffs?
