Former India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara believes MS Dhoni should bat higher up the order for Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season. Pujara feels that Dhoni’s impact could have been much greater had he been given more time at the crease instead of coming during the closing overs.
Dhoni had a modest IPL 2025 campaign with the bat, he often comes in at the back end of the innings provide fast runs. In an interview with JioHotstar, Pujara said that the CSK legend still has the ability to change matches with one hand if he faces more deliveries.
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“I don’t see the point in batting MS Dhoni at No. 8 or No. 9 because he has the potential to turn the matches around on his own, which no other batsman in the CSK team can do,” Pujara said.
“If he bowls just five or ten balls, imagine what Mahi bhai can do if he bowls 25 or 30 balls,” he added.
HOW LOW WAS DHONI’S BAT IN IPL 2025?
Dhoni’s position in the batting order became a major point of discussion during IPL 2025, especially after he got as high as ninth in the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. While the move drew criticism from fans and pundits, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming later explained that the decision was influenced by Dhoni’s management of a recurring knee problem during the season.
Despite the criticism surrounding his batting position, Dhoni is set to return for the next IPL campaign. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath has confirmed that the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman will be available for the entire IPL 2026 season.
Dhoni featured in all 14 matches for Chennai Super Kings during IPL 2025 but mostly appeared in the lower order. The veteran scored 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17, much of it coming during the closing overs to provide a late boost.
However, CSK endured an overall disappointing season. The five-time champions struggled to find consistency and finished bottom of the points table without making the playoffs.
With IPL 2026 around the corner, Pujara believes Dhoni could still play a crucial role for CSK if the team management allows him to bat higher up the order and spend more time in the middle.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
13 March 2026 08:20 IST
