IPL 2026: The Art of Mystery Featuring MS Dhoni

When it comes to MS Dhoni, only he knows what's next. A career full of surprises, MS Dhoni was to be dropped five games into his international career until a Sourav Ganguly move saved him. He was surprised by the famous Vizag storm, making 148 and starting the Dhoni mania.

The Dhoni surprise did not stop. In 2014, when the Test team was in transition, he came out of the blue to announce his Test retirement and two years later did the same when he stepped down as white-ball captain. MS Dhoni's presence in the 2019 World Cup was a constant question, with Dhoni knowing the answer, but reporters were curious. 

His international retirement was a very similar story. In 2019, MS Dhoni took a break. Deep down, he probably knew it was his time, but the mystery continued until August 15th, 2020, when he announced his international retirement. The journey has been similar throughout, with speculation and surprise when it comes to MS Dhoni. Each season of the IPL has been alike, with MS Dhoni finding new ways to dodge the question.

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IPL 2026 continues to be no different. From definitely not to 2020, and the legacy hasn't been left behind in 2021, the great man has hung on for another five years and has also found ways to contribute in whatever way possible. The quick stumpings and big sixers are still coming from the legendary skipper. 

2026, though, has had a slightly different speculation. MS Dhoni, around for all the practice sessions and up to the lead-up to the games, has been missing during the games due to his calf injury. The injury was to rule him out for two weeks, but we are now a month in, and MS Dhoni is yet to take the field. 

The scenario is very similar to previous times, where Dhoni, in all likelihood, knows what is going on, but the ones around him continue to speculate. With Dhoni missing half the season already, there are thoughts of him having retired. The great man, though, may go the retirement way without playing and surprise everyone, or he may spring another surprise and show up for yet another season. For now, though, MS Dhoni has been around Chepauk for practice, but the question remains whether he will show up or not for this season as a cricketer.