Former India and CSK player S Badrinath has weighed in on whether legendary CSK player MS Dhoni will play as an impact player or even play the entire IPL 2026 season. His words come after rumors of CSK finalizing a blockbuster trade by bringing in Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
The contract is currently blocked due to the presence of a third player, seemingly Sam Curran of England. RR's overall overseas player limit is already full, and to accommodate Sam Curran, one foreign player will have to be released. Additionally, RR has a meager purse of Rs 30 lakh, whereas Curran was signed by CSK during the auctions for Rs 2.4 crore.
Subramaniam Badrinath, a former CSK batsman, says Dhoni would play wicketkeeper regardless of whether Samson joins the five-time IPL champions' lineup for the 2018 season. Especially when Samson is a keeper-batter capable of playing in the top order and effective against spin.
“MS Dhoni definitely won’t play as an impact player. I don’t think MS Dhoni will play as an impact player. If he plays, he will feature as a keeper. The main reason for Dhoni playing is that he needs to be out there at the Chepauk. As an impact player, he might come out to bat only in the final two overs. We don’t know if he comes out to bat in that case. I don’t think that’s going to happen; that’s my observation, knowing CSK and Dhoni,” Badrinath told Star Sports.
Badrinath even doubted if Dhoni would play the entire season, but stated that if he does play, he’ll be the wicketkeeper in the XI.
“He might not even play the full season, but he will be there as a wicketkeeper, not sure as captain. But he will definitely be a keeper on the field. He said he will be on the field to play. It will not happen that Dhoni is off the field and leaves someone like Sanju Samson to keep wickets. He will take this decision and speak to Sanju Samson," he added.
Badrinath argues that even though Dhoni is no longer the CSK captain, he maintains a strong influence on the team.
“That’s my understanding; I don’t think MS Dhoni is going to be an impact player at all. Either he is going to play or call it, ‘I’m done.’ Look at these visuals; this is MS Dhoni, this is the value he carries, those small adjustments, and some conversation with the bowlers. Even though Ruturaj Gaikwad is the captain, he still has some control over the proceedings. That’s where his value is," Badrinath signed off.
This will be the 19th season of IPL for the 44-year-old MS Dhoni and the 17th season playing for CSK.
