Is IPL 2026 MS Dhoni’s Last Season? Aakash Chopra Suggests “Hang Up His Boots” Instead of Playing as Impact Player
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season approaches, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans are once again buzzing about MS Dhoni’s role in the squad. At 44, the former India captain might be deployed as an “Impact Player” this season, but cricket expert Aakash Chopra believes it could be time for the CSK legend to consider retirement.
Speaking on JioStar’s IPL Today Live, Chopra opined that while Dhoni’s cricketing brain and game-reading ability remain unmatched, taking on an “Impact Player” role may not suit him anymore.
Dhoni’s Fitness and Age: A Factor
Dhoni himself has acknowledged his declining fitness during the recent ROAR 26 fan event at Chepauk Stadium, candidly saying, “It is on the way down.” His long-standing knee issues have prompted CSK to move him down the batting order, allowing him to unleash big hits in the death overs while conserving his body.
Aakash Chopra noted that Dhoni’s biggest strengths—clarity of thought, conviction, and the ability to read the game—cannot be fully utilized from a brief cameo role as an Impact Player. “You cannot run the team from the dugout, it’s not football. MS Dhoni’s biggest asset is his ability to read the game better than anybody else. If he is playing as an Impact Player, I think it’s time for him to hang up his boots,” Chopra said.
Passing the Baton to the Next Generation
With Ruturaj Gaikwad firmly at the helm and Sanju Samson joining CSK as the wicketkeeper-batter, Dhoni has gradually transitioned into a mentor role. Chopra likened this to teaching a child to walk: “If you want your baby to start walking, you need to hold their hand and teach them. But if you want them to run, you need to let go. Dhoni has taken a backseat, allowing the next generation to grow.”
Chopra added that this season’s squad reflects CSK’s new approach. The team has moved away from the “Daddy’s Army” tag it had due to an ageing roster in previous years, bringing in young talent like Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Sarfaraz Khan, and Nathan Ellis. “This is Ruturaj Gaikwad’s team. MS Dhoni will observe, offer advice if needed, but he’s no longer the sole decision-maker,” Chopra explained.
Dhoni’s IPL Record
Dhoni’s career stats in the IPL remain remarkable: in 278 matches, he has scored 5,439 runs in 242 innings at an average of 38.30 with a strike rate of 137.45, including 24 fifties and a top score of 84*. He is currently the sixth-highest run-getter in IPL history, cementing his status as one of the league’s greatest icons.
CSK Full Squad for IPL 2026
Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Sarfaraz Khan (Rs 75 lakh), Kartik Sharma (Rs 14.20 Cr), Prashant Veer (Rs 14.20 Cr), Matthew Short (Rs 1.50 Cr), Aman Khan (Rs 40 lakh), Zak Foulkes (Rs 75 lakh), Akeal Hosein (Rs 2 Cr), Rahul Chahar (Rs 5.2 Cr), Matt Henry (Rs 2 Cr).
What This Means for Dhoni and CSK
While CSK fans hope to see Dhoni in action one last time, experts like Aakash Chopra suggest that a cameo role may not do justice to his legacy. Instead, the 44-year-old could focus on mentoring the team’s youngsters and helping shape the next era of CSK cricket, leaving the field to the next generation of leaders.
