Former India cricketer and ex-Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath questioned the franchise over the constant uncertainty surrounding MS Dhoni’s availability during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Dhoni has yet to play a single game this season after initially suffering a calf strain before also picking up a thumb injury. Despite regular speculation over his possible return, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter has remained sidelined throughout the campaign.
The 44-year-old recently attended CSK’s final home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he was seen interacting with teammates and taking a small lap around the stadium, further fueling discussions about his fitness and comeback status.
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S Badrinath questions CSK over MS Dhoni situation
Speaking about the ongoing uncertainty, Badrinath criticized the way the entire situation has been handled by the franchise and questioned whether the repeated speculation was aimed at generating hype around matches.
"There has consistently been questions over whether he'll play or not before every game. The whole Dhoni situation hasn't been handled well. Nobody knows the reason. Is it just to create interest for the match or is it a business decision? Is this also part of the process?" Badrinath said.
The former CSK batter’s comments come at a time when fans continue to speculate before every Chennai match regarding MS Dhoni’s possible return to action.
CSK struggling in IPL 2026 under Ruturaj Gaikwad
It has been a disappointing campaign for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, with the franchise currently on the verge of elimination from the playoff race.
Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK have struggled for consistency throughout the season and remain dependent on multiple results to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Badrinath also criticized the franchise’s overall process this season, especially their player recruitment and squad planning, suggesting that several signings failed to deliver the expected impact.
With only one league game remaining, CSK now face a must-win situation while also relying heavily on other teams’ results to stay alive in the playoff race.