While cricket fans are busy with the 2026 T20 World Cup, excitement is also growing about the next season of the IPL. The 2026 season is scheduled to begin next month, on March 26th. Royal Challengers Bangalore fans will be extremely excited for this season, as the team will be playing as defending champions for the first time.
Chennai Super Kings fans will be equally happy, as their beloved Mahendra Singh Dhoni is set to return to the field. The CSK CEO announced that Dhoni will return for the new season, but he also revealed some disappointing news.
Dhoni will return in IPL 2026
A month before the start of the tournament, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan revealed to the media that Dhoni would be returning to play the 19th season of the IPL. As in previous years, after the 2025 season, questions arose about whether Dhoni would return for the next season. Dhoni, who has been battling a knee injury for the past two or three seasons and is now 44, had been uncertain about his return to play. Dhoni himself had stated that he would make a decision later.
Now, putting an end to the anticipation and anxiety of CSK fans, the franchise’s CEO, Viswanathan, announced that Dhoni will return to play in IPL 2026. Vishwanath said, “We can confirm that Dhoni is coming to Chennai and has declared himself available to play this season.” However, this news has also raised the pulse of CSK fans. A PTI report, quoting CSK sources, states that it is currently unclear whether Dhoni will play all the matches this season.
A period of change will begin in CSK.
It would not be surprising if Dhoni does not play all the matches this season, as there is a specific reason for this. In fact, after last season, Chennai Super Kings struck a trade deal with Rajasthan Royals, sending their star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan in exchange for Royals captain Sanju Samson. Samson’s entry into the team made it clear he would be the team’s wicketkeeper in the future. Therefore, Dhoni and the franchise will begin this change this season, making it difficult for Dhoni to play in all matches.
