Overview
- CEO Kasi Viswanathan ended speculation by saying Dhoni will play this season, confirming his place in the 2026 squad.
- PTI-cited franchise sources report Dhoni is unlikely to feature in all 14 league matches, with expectations he appears in most home games at Chepauk.
- CSK traded for Sanju Samson and now carries multiple wicketkeeper-batters, including Urvil Patel and high-fee uncapped recruit Kartik Sharma, to provide cover.
- Dhoni was retained for Rs 4 crore under the IPL's uncapped player provision as the franchise reshaped its roster at the Abu Dhabi auction.
- Recent seasons under the Impact Player rule have limited Dhoni’s batting to late cameos, and his managed workload reflects past knee and back issues.