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The long-standing speculation surrounding Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) has finally been put to rest. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanath, has confirmed that MS Dhoni will not be hanging up his boots just yet and will feature in the IPL 2026.
MS Dhoni confirmed for IPL 2026
Despite having retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020, Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains the most-capped player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and continues his stellar career in the world’s richest franchise tournament.
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CSK CEO on Dhoni's participation in IPL 2026
The decisive confirmation regarding Dhoni's future came directly from CSK CEO. In a recent video clip shared by Provoke Lifestyle on YouTube, Viswanath was questioned by young fans about the 44-year-old's retirement plans. He responded by firmly stating that Dhoni is not retiring, assuring supporters that they would see the veteran cricketer participate in the 2026 edition of the ten-team league. This announcement will come as welcome news to the legion of fans who eagerly follow the iconic player's last dance every season.
“No, he is not retiring for this (2026) IPL," Kasi was heard saying in the first video.
He was then asked about Dhoni's retirement date to which Kasi said:
“I will ask him and get back to you."
Viswanath acknowledged the uncertainty of future success while still affirming the team's commitment. When questioned about the prospect of winning the next IPL title, he offered a cautious but determined response: "We are ready, but we don’t know whether we will be able to win. But we will try our best." This tempered outlook follows a historically difficult 2025 season where CSK finished at the bottom of the points table for the first time in 18 seasons, managing only four victories out of 14 league matches.
The confirmation of Dhoni's participation in IPL 2026 follows a particularly difficult IPL 2025 season for the Chennai Super Kings. With regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad sidelined due to injury for a majority of the campaign, Dhoni once again stepped up to assume the leadership role. Despite his efforts, the team struggled significantly, managing to secure only four victories out of 14 matches. This poor performance resulted in the franchise finishing at the bottom of the points table, a startling first in the storied history of CSK.
This temporary slump, however, does not overshadow the immense success CSK has achieved under Dhoni's stewardship. He has been the guiding force behind CSK becoming one of the most decorated franchises in IPL history, securing five coveted IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, while consistently reaching the playoff stages in most other seasons. The sheer thought of seeing the legendary 'Thala' back in action for yet another year has predictably triggered a massive frenzy and excitement among fans across all social media platforms.
Crucially, the decision for Dhoni, now aged 44, to continue playing comes with significant fitness management. Since his retirement from international cricket in 2020, he has been dealing with persistent knee issues, most notably requiring arthroscopic surgery on his left knee following the conclusion of the IPL 2023 season. Even after the procedure, the veteran player has continued to participate in the IPL, often using a knee brace and implementing rigorous day-to-day management to cope with the wear and tear demanded by batting, wicketkeeping, and running between the wickets. Furthermore, his fitness is closely monitored due to a chronic back injury that has affected his professional career for years.
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