IPL 2026 | ‘It doesn’t matter if MS Dhoni plays’: Sanjay Manjrekar makes a brutally honest remark

Sanjay Manjrekar and MS Dhoni NEW DELHI: MS Dhoni has always meant more to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) than just being a cricketer. Even though he didn’t play a single match in IPL 2026 due to multiple injuries, he still remained the biggest talking point of the team. Fans were excited when he appeared in Chepauk during the match, hoping for a comeback, but reports later confirmed that he had been sidelined again with another injury. His absence throughout the season only added to the constant speculation about whether he would play one final match for CSK.Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said he is tired of discussing the Dhoni situation and believes CSK have become too emotional about their former captain instead of focusing on results and team balance.“To be very honest, I’m so exhausted talking about another icon. I have nothing to say about Dhoni. And if you want a very short and brutally honest answer, it doesn’t matter. He plays or he doesn’t play,” he told the Sportstar Podcast.Manjrekar clarified that his admiration for MS Dhoni remains unchanged because of what Dhoni achieved for India and CSK in his prime. He even said that the younger Dhoni could have taken this current CSK side to the playoffs with his leadership skills.According to Manjrekar, CSK’s biggest mistake this season was trying too hard to include Dhoni in the lineup despite his fitness issues and age. He said the franchise should now focus more on current performances and winning matches than emotional attachment.“CSK has learned one hard lesson – don’t be too emotional about your players. Be emotional about the reality, the performances, your current position, the points table,” he said.