Dhoni and CSK heading for split after 2026 IPL

Post the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League, MS Dhoni is unlikely to be seen playing for or associated with Chennai Super Kings anymore. Whether or not he retires from the IPL altogether remains unclear, but even if he returns to play next season, he is not expected to represent CSK again.

Besides MS Dhoni being fit again and yet not taking the field for Chennai Super Kings in order to ensure the team combination was not disrupted, along with the calf muscle injury he suffered at the start of the season, a difference of opinion and the implementation of a plan to phase out senior players were the main reasons he did not play a single game in the 2026 Indian Premier League, sources said.

When CricBlogger reached out to CSK officials, none were available for comment.

“The relationship between Dhoni and CSK has deteriorated to such an extent that Thala will not be seen in yellow after the 2026 IPL,” a source said.

Sources added that the team management had not consulted Dhoni over the last two years. As reported earlier by CricBlogger, Dhoni was extremely upset with the transfers involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson, which took place without his knowledge. It has also come to light that the CSK management decided to build a new team for the future and gradually move on from senior players.

Sources also said that the CSK management could not repair its relationship with Dhoni, as no one was willing to have a direct conversation with him. “So they ignored Dhoni completely this year, which irked him a lot,” the source said, adding that Dhoni stayed with the team throughout the season purely for dignity’s sake.

If Dhoni, who has five titles as CSK captain, decides to return next year, sources believe he could play for a different franchise. While many find it hard to imagine Dhoni turning out for any IPL team other than CSK, there is little certainty at this stage. A franchise looking for experience and leadership could still consider him.

For the first time, Dhoni missed almost an entire IPL season. Sources also said that he had major differences with one of CSK’s top officials. Although Dhoni travelled with the squad throughout the season, he stayed back at the team hotel on match days to ensure that younger players got more exposure by sitting inside the dugout, as only 17 players are allowed to be with the team on match days from a squad of 25.