There was talk that MS Dhoni could be included in the playing 11 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday because it was the last match of this season of Chennai Super Kings in Chepauk. Dhoni did not play. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that now he has lost interest whether Dhoni plays or not. After losing to SRH, it has become difficult for Chennai to go to the playoffs.

In the last 3-4 seasons, every time the same question was raised whether MS Dhoni will no longer play in IPL? Dhoni made a comeback but it seems difficult in the upcoming season because he did not play a single match in IPL 2026. Dhoni is struggling with fitness related problems. It was believed that Dhoni could play his farewell match in the match to be held on Monday in Chepauk. In fact, a few years ago, when he was asked about his retirement, he had said that he would like to play the last match at CSK’s home ground.

What did Sanjay Manjrekar say about Dhoni?

Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Chennai Super Kings could not make Dhoni’s name properly. He said that now he has lost interest in the fact that Dhoni does not get to play the farewell match, his legacy has been damaged.

He said, “To be honest in short answer, I don’t care. I don’t care whether he plays or not. Chennai Super Kings have handled this situation differently. I have lost interest in it.”

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He further said, “I remember all the time what MS Dhoni did for Team India. He is my favorite captain. He is one of the great captains. I like him because of what he did for India. Dhoni is not the same now. The Chennai franchise handled Dhoni’s name poorly, it has also affected the team. Whether Dhoni plays the farewell match or not, it is for him and the fans. I will remember the same Dhoni that I saw him in Chennai and Team India. Had Dhoni managed this team as captain in his peak, it would have been in the playoffs.

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Chennai Super Kings is currently at sixth position in the points table. Very little but Chennai’s hopes of going to the playoffs are still alive. Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad have officially reached the IPL 2026 playoffs.

MS Dhoni has been playing for Chennai Super Kings since the first edition (except 2016 and 2017). Under his captaincy, he has won 5 titles for CSK. There are discussions whether Dhoni will be seen on the field for the last time as a player, however, this discussion is happening not only this time but for the last 4-5 editions. Only Dhoni will know the answer to this whether IPL 2026 is his last edition as a player. Sourav Ganguly has given a statement regarding its possibility.

Although Sourav Ganguly did not give any clear answer on the possibility of MS Dhoni’s retirement from IPL, but indicated that he can talk to Dhoni about it. He said at an event, “I will tell Dhoni about what to do, not the media.” Let us tell you that this time Sanju Samson will play for Chennai Super Kings, who is being called Dhoni’s successor in the team. Former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra believes that this will be Dhoni’s last IPL season.

Aakash Chopra feels this because Sanju Samson is ready to replace Dhoni in the team. CSK made Sanju a part of their team through trade, in his place the franchise gave Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals.

what did aakash chopra say

The former cricketer feels that MS Dhoni should take retirement now. He said on GeoHotstar, “You don’t run a team from the dugout, this is not a football team. Dhoni’s quality is that he can read anyone’s game.” He said that according to him Dhoni should retire from IPL after this season.

MS Dhoni is 44 years old, who has played 278 matches in IPL. Dhoni has scored 5439 runs in 242 IPL innings. It is likely that Dhoni will be seen as an impact player in most of the matches of IPL 2026.

Now less than 2 weeks are left for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) to start. The first match will be played between last year’s champions Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. Fans are eager to see legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni on the field. While Dhoni plays only in IPL, Rohit and Kohli also play only in One Day International and IPL. Here we are telling about those 4 players for whom IPL 2026 may prove to be the last season as a player.

MS Dhoni (CSK)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the most successful captains of IPL, who has made CSK champion 5 times under his captaincy. He has been playing for the Chennai team since the first season (except 2016 and 2017), although he is no longer the captain but he had to take over the captaincy after the departure of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad last season. Dhoni has started preparations for IPL 2026, which could be his last season as a player.

For IPL 2026, CSK has included Sanju Samson in its team, who is being considered as Dhoni’s successor. Sanju was the player of the tournament of the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026. Talking about Dhoni’s IPL career, he has scored 5439 runs in 278 matches, which includes 24 half-century innings.

Ajinkya Rahane (KKR)

Kolkata Knight Riders have made it clear that Ajinkya Rahane will remain the captain in IPL 2026. However, if this season is a flop for Rahane as a batsman, then this season may prove to be his last. If 37-year-old Rahane is released by KKR, then it is very difficult for any new team to buy him. Rahane scored 5032 runs in 198 matches in IPL, in which he scored 33 half-centuries and 2 centuries.

Ishant Sharma (GT)

37-year-old fast bowler Ishant Sharma has taken 96 wickets in 117 matches in IPL. Last season, Ishant joined Gujarat Titans, in which he could not perform as per expectations. He took only 4 wickets in 7 matches, in which his economy was 11.18. He will play for the same team in the upcoming season also, but if his performance remains like this then it may be difficult for him. That means his IPL career will depend on this season.

Marcus Stoinis (PBKS)

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is included in Punjab Kings, who was retained by the team at a price of Rs 11 crore. Stoinis has scored 2026 runs and taken 44 wickets in 109 matches played for 4 teams in IPL. 36-year-old Stoinis is an explosive batsman, who has played many important innings but for quite some time now he has not been able to contribute as per expectations. If his bat does not work in IPL and Punjab Kings releases him, then this season (IPL 2026) may prove to be his last season as a player.