Will MS Dhoni play IPL 2027? CSK coach drops biggest hint yet — Here's what he said

Just after the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) got eliminated from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a massive defeat against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the same old question has been raised whether MS Dhoni would feature in the 2027 season of the competition.

After the end of the game, the CSK captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, was asked the same question in the post-match presentation, to which he revealed the uncertainty at the moment but hoped to see the veteran back in the yellow colors next season.  

CSK’s coach’s exact words on Dhoni’s IPL 2026 future— Decoded

Even in the press conference, the CSK bowling coach, Eric Simons, expectedly, faced the same question. He reckoned that the wicket-keeper looked sharp in the training sessions and had struck the ball better than ever in the nets.

“Are you seriously asking me that question? We always are. I mean, honestly, he has hit the ball so well. He obviously had a leg injury, which made it very difficult for him to run, so that’s why he couldn’t play. But in terms of hitting the ball in the nets, he’s hitting it as well as I’ve ever seen him hit it.” Simmons expressed.

“But I keep saying this, only MS will know, and MS will make the decision about when he’s ready and when he’s right. And I tell you what, if he knows he’s not, he won’t play. But if he is right, he will.” The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach added.

Simons reflected on how the Ranchi-born would take the call in the best interest of the franchise, who has now gone three successive years without qualifying for the playoffs.

“He’ll make the decision in the best interest of the team and not for himself as an individual. But it will be great to have him playing. It’s been great just having him around the unit and being someone to tap into for knowledge and calmness.” He informed.

Dhoni’s age, form & fitness in 2026— Can he last one more season?

This ended up being the very first season when Dhoni didn’t play a single game for the five-time champions. The 44-year-old has mostly practiced throughout the season in Chennai without travelling for the away games on most occasions.

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Many predicted that he would perhaps feature in CSK’s last home clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), but a thumb injury ruled him out of that fixture too.

What happens to CSK if Dhoni retires after IPL 2026?

For CSK, they will have to move on from Dhoni at some stage of the competition. Kartik Sharma, the uncapped wicket-keeper batter for India, has impressed with a decent season of 295 runs in 11 innings of the IPL 2026 at a strike rate of nearly 135 with two half-centuries at the best score of 71.

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Urvil Patel has looked good in a few games, while Sanju Samson has taken the charge beautifully with 477 runs in the event, thanks to his two centuries and one half-century. Chennai will hope to see the same set of players grow more and do well for them in the very next edition.