“The whole of Chennai wants him to be a part of CSK” - Vansh Bedi pleads for MS Dhoni’s IPL 2026 return

A question makes rounds with every season of the Indian Premier League. “Is this going to be the last for Dhoni?” And once the season ends, before the next one starts, another question keeps on floating whether MS or is famously revered as ‘Thala’ going to come again the next season or not. With the Chennai Super Kings' disastrous IPL season in 2024, the same question is gaining momentum.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the usual skipper for the Chennai team, got injured mid-season and was ruled out for the remaining games. As a result, MS Dhoni led the team in the remainder of the games. However, the Dhoni charm seemed to be missing as they still kept losing games and losing them quite a one-sided fashion.

Already at the age of 44, the identity of CSK and Dhoni continues to remain the same, and fans still want to see more of the wicketkeeper-finisher on the field. It is impossible to overlook his physical limitations, though. Dhoni has been dealing with recurrent back and knee issues for years.

Vansh Bedi, a rising star of the Chennai team, recently spoke to Sports Yaari and voiced the concerns of several fans, urging their ‘Thala’ to play for another season.

"Yes, I absolutely want him to play. Not just me, the whole of Chennai wants him to be a part of CSK this year as well & I really wish that he plays this year as well because the contribution he makes to the team, the brains he can use in the matches, no one else can do that," Bedi said.

Interestingly, Dhoni has kept the fans on the edge of their seats with a recent comment during an event he attended. After a poor season in 2025, fans were guessing this might be the last of Dhoni that they are witnessing, but it might not be the case.

In the event, when was asked about his future, he jokingly said about his fitness. He mentioned, “I just got a tick mark for the next five years, I can play cricket. But the only catch is Doc only gave a clearance for eyesight. Body, He didn’t give a clearance for the body. But I cannot play cricket only with my eyes.” 

Fans are hopeful but uncertain as the CSK legend continues to struggle with knee ailments and has not stated whether he will play in the IPL 2026.

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