Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are entering the upcoming season after a disappointing campaign. They finished in 10th place in the points table in 2025. The franchise has explored lower middle-order and wicketkeeping options, raising questions about whether the 44-year-old fits into their current plans.
“If he is going to play the role of batting at No.8 or No.9, and not really captaining, then I just feel it’s almost making up a spot and just almost there for the wrong reasons," he told Star Sports.
Since the 2023 season, Dhoni has faced more than 20 deliveries in an innings only once. He has batted at No. 8 or below on 17 occasions.
I Don’t See a Point in MS Dhoni Batting… - Cheteshwar Pujara
“I don’t see a point in MS Dhoni batting at No. 8 or 9, because he has the potential to turn games around single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK team can do," he said on Jiostar. "If he bats for only five or ten balls, imagine what Mahi bhai can do if he plays 25 or 30 balls.”
"Loyalty also comes into the picture because most of CSK’s players, if you look at the history, stay for a long time once they become part of that setup. There is a transition in the team now, so there is a bit more preference for young players,” said Pujara.
Chennai Super Kings Strengthen Squad with Sanju Samson Trade
The franchise also added Kartik Sharma in the recent auction. They had signed Urvil Patel as an injury replacement during IPL 2025. These additions give the management multiple wicketkeeping options if they decide to move on from MS Dhoni behind the stumps.
Also read: Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins out of IPL 2026; Australia stars rattled by Pakistan security concerns before PSL
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