Legendary Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni’s future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament is in discussion once again. There are now concerns about whether the renowned wicketkeeper-batter will return for the 2027 season after years of leading the Chennai Super Kings and producing some of the most iconic moments in IPL history.
While nothing is finalised as of now, signs have been there that MS Dhoni might not continue in the IPL, at least in a playing role for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2027. Today, we take a look at 3 reasons why this might become a reality.
Here are the 3 reasons why MS Dhoni will not play in IPL 2027:
3. IPL 2026 felt like a farewell.
MS Dhoni didn’t play a single game in IPL 2026. He had suffered a calf injury during training sessions before the IPL began, and he spent most of the time in CSK nets, working on his fitness. As he recovered from a calf injury, he suffered a thumb injury and opted not to play any games.
He also didn’t travel with the CSK squad to the grounds, and it felt like even MS Dhoni knew it was time for him. There is a real chance that Dhoni’s IPL playing career has already come to an end because he has already missed a complete season and has not made a commitment for 2027.
2. CSK transition phase
In MS Dhoni’s absence on the field and in the dressing room, CSK began their plans for transition with Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the way. They have Sanju Samson as the leading keeper and opener. They lacked an experienced finisher and expected them to go hard in the IPL 2027 auction for the same.
In that case, Dhoni might believe that the bat and gloves are no longer necessary for him to make the most contribution to the team. He might be more useful as a mentor or coach due to his experience, tactical knowledge, and influence in the locker room.
1. Age and fitness factor
At 45 years of age, MS Dhoni knows he is past his prime. He might still be very good as a keeper, but with the bat and running between the wickets, Dhoni has struggled. He has not been able to clear the boundaries at will like he used to do in his prime, and he batted at 7 or 8, as he couldn’t run fast due to knee issues.
Stepping away from playing could become a viable option if his body does not react as he would like during IPL 2027 training. Dhoni knows his body well, and he even admitted that it takes more time for him to recover from injuries now, and managing the top-level workload might become difficult for him to manage.
