Mahendra Singh Dhoni has not yet taken the field in IPL 2026 as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. His return to action remains uncertain, with no clear timeline set for a comeback. The setback has come as a blow to Chennai Super Kings, especially after he was initially expected to miss only the early phase of the tournament. However, his recovery reportedly hit another hurdle when the injury flared up again during a training session. Even in his absence, Dhoni’s presence continues to dominate CSK matches. Stadiums have been packed for every game, with a sea of yellow jerseys and No.7 shirts reflecting the enduring bond between the player and his fans. Yet, the prolonged wait for his return has left supporters increasingly frustrated, with speculation growing ahead of each fixture about whether he might finally be included in the playing XI.
Concerns have also grown around his future in the IPL. With recurring knee issues and age becoming a factor, there is rising talk that IPL 2026 could potentially be his final season. Some believe the tournament may mark the end of an era for one of the most influential figures in the league’s history. Amid this uncertainty, former Australia captain Michael Clarke has strongly defended Dhoni, urging critics not to rush discussions about retirement. Clarke emphasised Dhoni’s unmatched influence on Chennai Super Kings and his continued importance to the game. “MS Dhoni is CSK. If you go watch a CSK game, everyone has the No.7 yellow jersey on. In terms of sponsors coming to the team, every sponsor would want MS Dhoni to be part of that team. He is that significant in India and CSK. Age should not matter, though. No one can convince me that there is a better keeper than MS Dhoni. He’s still the best wicketkeeper in T20s. He is also one of a kind. So people need to be careful in wishing him to retire,” Clarke said on Beyond23 Cricket Podcast. Clarke also suggested that Dhoni may not remain involved in the sport after retirement in any formal capacity. “When he retires, we probably won’t see him involved in cricket. He certainly won’t commentate. I doubt he will stay on as a mentor with CSK. I can’t imagine him going into coaching. So I would urge people not to wish him to go out soon and try to keep him involved in the sport,” he added.
