There will be no ifs or buts about MS Dhoni’s future after the IPL 2026 season as the 44-year-old is set to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign, according to former India and Chennai Super Kings batsman Robin Uthappa. CSK’s apparent shift in strategy – from backing proven veterans to investing in youngsters without restrictions – suggests Dhoni is already preparing for a mentor role, his former teammate added.
Chennai Super Kings have made a dramatic change in their approach, supporting youngsters instead of relying on experienced players. While they tasted success late last season with Dewald Brevis (22), Ayush Mhatra (18) and Urvil Patel (27),
Highlights of IPL Auctions | Full list of sold and unsold players
CSK went a step further in the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. They bought the 19-year-old Uttar Pradesh spinner and big-hitter Prashant Veer for Rs 14.2 crore. The franchise also signed 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Kartik Sharma for Rs 14.2 crore, making the duo the joint costliest uncapped Indian player in the history of the auction.
MS Dhoni, 44, was retained ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction and continued to contribute as a wicketkeeper and lower-order power-hitter. He also took over as captain midway through last season after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined with an injury.
With Sanju Samson also part of the squad following his exchange from Rajasthan Royals, Uthappa believes Dhoni’s transition from player to mentor is imminent.
“I think the writing is on the wall. This will obviously be MS Dhoni’s last season. No more guesswork, no more speculation about whether he will play another year or not. He will be well and truly done this year,” Uthappa told JioHotstar on Tuesday.
“I think all signs point to that when you look at the investment in youth and the kind of teams they’ve picked since last year. They’re focused on developing talent, discovering talent and keeping that talent within the franchise,” he added.
CSK, who traded Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals before the auction, also brought in 26-year-old leg-spinner Rahul Chahar and 28-year-old middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan.
“It’s a fair call. If you can develop another Jadeja with the kind of mentorship that MS Dhoni provides, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy, why not? That’s the direction you want to go,” Uthappa said.
‘DHONI WILL MENTOR CSK’
Uthappa added that there is no doubt that Dhoni will continue to be associated with the franchise in a mentoring role once he retires as a player.
“We all know that if he doesn’t play, he will mentor the side. I think he will act as a mentor-cum-player this year. He is already looking at things from that perspective and that is why they bring in players like these,” he said.
Speculation about Dhoni’s future has been a recurring theme in the last five seasons of the IPL. While he was expected to retire after leading CSK to the title in 2023, Dhoni went on and extended his career in search of the perfect farewell and repaying the unwavering support of the fans who still turn up in huge numbers.
CSK spent Rs 41 crore from their purse of Rs 43.40 crore to sign nine players, with Rs 28.4 crore of that amount invested in just two uncapped youngsters.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
December 16, 2025
