Mahendra Singh Dhoni (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) Former India batsman Subramaniam Badrinath believes that it would be extremely difficult for the Chennai Super Kings management to drop MS Dhoni from the playing eleven in the upcoming Indian Premier League season.Dhoni is set to return to Chennai Super Kings in the 2026 campaign, with the franchise’s CEO Kasi Viswanath already confirming that the veteran will be available throughout the tournament. However, the exact role he will play during the matches is yet to be determined. According to Viswanath, the team management will decide whether Dhoni will act as a wicket keeper or be used as an impact player depending on the match situation.The 44-year-old has had a relatively quiet season in IPL 2025, scoring 196 runs from 14 matches. Batting mostly in the lower order, Dhoni averaged 24.50 and maintained a strike rate of 135.17, often coming in during the closing stages of the innings to secure quick runs.Despite questions over his role, Badrinath feels that the management would find it almost impossible to bench the legendary skipper given the position he holds within the franchise. The former CSK batsman suggested on his YouTube channel that even head coach Stephen Fleming might not be in a position to make such a call.“I don’t know if it’s an administrative decision where (CSK CEO) said he (Dhoni) is ready to play all the matches. He said he’ll support the cricket decision and stop. Now Fleming will go and tell Dhoni you’re not playing this match, we’re dropping you. I don’t think Fleming has a chance at all. How can you go and say that Badrin Dhoni literally said it’s not? on his YouTube channel.Badrinath further highlighted the level of respect Dhoni commands inside the CSK dressing room. According to him, it would be extremely difficult for any member of the coaching staff to even suggest that the former India captain sit out or be used only as a substitute.“I don’t think any support staff in the world, be it Fleming, can tell Dhoni that you are an impact player or you are not playing this match. There is no chance. We can take it as he will play all the matches,” he added.
