As anticipated, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) decided to keep MS Dhoni for the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season. After the five-time winners placed bottom in the IPL 2025 standings, he will be trying to help his squad recover quickly.
IPL champion Mohammad Kaif of the Rajasthan Royals denied that MS would be employed as an Impact Player in the competition’s 2026 edition. Despite Dhoni’s recent preference to bat lower in the order, Kaif thinks he will benefit the team as a coach and wicketkeeper.
In any case, MS doesn’t bat. He is playing both to captain and to keep 20 overs. He is performing in order to lead the players. His purpose is to lead Gaikwad. As a captain and mentor, this is the only reason he is playing,” he stated on his YouTube page.
Due to an injury, Ruturaj Gaikwad missed a significant portion of the 2025 IPL. In his absence, CSK was led by MS Dhoni. Gaikwad is anticipated to become leadership next year, though. However, Kaif believes that Dhoni makes the decisions on the pitch and that the Maharashtra batsman is simply the captain on paper. For this reason, the former batter for India does not consider Dhoni to be an impact player.
“Gaikwad may be the captain on paper, but Dhoni has the final say until he takes the pitch. There is no question about his actions. He won’t play as an impact player, in my opinion. “He has no chance of being an impact player, or he will rule himself out,” he continued.
Dhoni will continue to start, and Sanju Samson will play as a fielder: Kaif
CSK has acquired Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals. However, Kaif thinks Samson would play as a fielder and MS will wear the wicketkeeping gloves.
“The days of a keeper not being able to field are over. Now, everything has changed in Indian cricket and the IPL. KL Rahul also became a keeper, Kedar Jadhav kept, and Uthappa kept. Even the Indian side now has two or three wicketkeepers in the starting lineup. MS will continue to start, and Sanju Samson will play as a fielder. Dhoni must be on the pitch for a very long time. When it comes to wicketkeeping, Samson and Dhoni are not close. Nobody is able to get to that level. MS actions are unique. He stated, “He will run the game from behind.”
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