Former team India all-rounder, Irfan Pathan said that the upcoming IPL 2026 season “might be the last time” fans see MS Dhoni in action for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, he also said that even after so many years, the franchise still feels incomplete without its former skipper.
Dhoni remains the heartbeat of the team as he prepares for the IPL 2026 season. Speaking on JioHotstar, Pathan explained why Dhoni’s influence in 2026 remains extremely important for CSK — regardless of how many balls he faces or how many catches he takes.
He said, “CSK is incomplete without MS Dhoni. This season might be the last time we see him in the yellow jersey and it’s tough to imagine CSK and the IPL without him. This season, Dhoni will play an important role in bringing everyone together. I’m not sure how many games he will play. But his presence in the dressing room will help a lot.”
Pathan also mentioned that players like Sanju Samson would benefit from Dhoni’s presence, as he will continue to be part of the leadership group. Ruturaj Gaikwad is the current captain of CSK, but the franchise is grooming two or three players for the future. That is where Dhoni’s vast experience becomes valuable for the team.
“I hope he makes a difference. Questions about his fitness, batting position, and whether he will play all games will still come up. The CSK team management will take it step by step. They will definitely look to give him a perfect farewell by lifting their sixth IPL trophy”, Pathan said.
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