Will MS Dhoni play IPL 2026? CSK CEO reveals the answer

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanath has confirmed that the former skipper MS Dhoni will continue to play for the franchise in the forthcoming IPL 2026 season, putting his retirement speculations to rest. 

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In a recent exclusive video clip shared by Provoke Lifestyle on the YouTube channel, Viswanath was questioned by a group of young fans about Dhoni’s retirement plans from the cash-rich league. The CSK CEO was quick to state that the talismanic keeper-batter isn’t retiring anytime soon.

Kid 1: So next year, are you planning to win the IPL Cup?

Viswanath: Yeah, we are ready, but we don't know whether we'll be able to win, but we'll try our best.

Kid 1: Is Dhoni going to retire?

Viswanath: No, he's not going to retire.

Kid 1: When will Dhoni retire?

Viswanath: I'll ask him and get back to you.

Kid 1: Which new member are you going to get for your team you're planning?

Viswanath: That we can know only when the auction register comes out. That'll be known by December first week. After that, I can talk to you, and you can interview me after that.

Kid 2: How do you feel about being the managing director of CSK? 

Viswanath: I feel very proud to be one of the best teams in IPL.

For the unversed, Chennai Super Kings concluded their Indian Premier League 2025 season at the 10th rank on the points table, having won just four games and lost 10 matches at a Net Run Rate of -0.647.

With November 15 being the retention deadline given by the IPL Governing Council, it would be interesting to see which players would be retained and released by the franchise before the deadline. The IPL 2026 mini-auction is all set to take place in mid-December overseas.

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