MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint on IPL 2026 Return Amid Fitness Concerns

MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint on IPL 2026 Return Amid Fitness Concerns

MS Dhoni drops big hint about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The former Indian captain spoke about his current physical condition and left fans wondering whether he would return next season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

After CSK’s worst-ever IPL season in 2025, where they finished last on the points table, many believed it was the final time they saw Dhoni in yellow. But the legendary wicketkeeper-batter hasn’t made an official retirement announcement. Instead, he made a humorous but telling comment at a recent public event. MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

“Only Eyesight Cleared”: Dhoni’s Honest Update

At the event, Dhoni said his doctor had only cleared him for his eyesight, not his overall physical fitness.

“I just got a tick mark for the next five years I can play cricket. But the only catch is the doc only gave a clearance for eyesight. For the body, he didn’t give any clearance. But I cannot play cricket only with my eyes,” said Dhoni.

This cheeky comment hinted that though his vision is fine, his body is struggling — especially due to long-term knee injuries. These issues have continued to limit his movement and agility, especially behind the stumps.

IPL 2025: A Season to Forget for CSK

In IPL 2025, CSK had a nightmare campaign. It was the first time in the franchise’s history that they finished last.

• MS Dhoni played all 14 matches, scoring 196 runs. MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

• He stepped back into captaincy midway after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury.

• But CSK couldn’t bounce back, and the team looked disjointed.

Even though Dhoni was retained for ₹4 crore ahead of the mega auction, it was clear that his body was no longer up to the demands of a full IPL season. MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

Dhoni: “I Have Time to Decide”

After CSK’s final match of the 2025 season, Dhoni had said:

“It depends. I have 4-5 months to decide, there’s no hurry. Need to keep my body fit. You have to be at your best.”

This suggests that he’s not ruling out another season — but the decision will depend on his body and whether he feels capable of playing a full tournament again. MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

CSK’s Plans for the Future

Despite the disappointing campaign, Dhoni is hopeful about CSK’s core players. Speaking about the team, he said: MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

“We are slightly worried about our batting order. But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. So, we are quite sorted now.”

He also spoke about plugging some holes through the upcoming mini auction in December:

“I won’t say we slacked off (in IPL 2025). But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to fix those.”

This confirms that CSK are already thinking about the future and Dhoni might be involved in a mentoring or decision-making role even if he doesn’t play. MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

Reading Between the Lines

Dhoni’s latest comment doesn’t give a yes or no answer, but his body language and wording suggest that he is not fully fit to continue as a player. While his mind and eyes are sharp, his physical condition — especially the knee — is the limiting factor. MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

Here are key takeaways:

• He hasn’t ruled out IPL 2026, but the chances are slim.

• CSK management must now prepare for a Dhoni-less future.

• A new captain and core may be needed from IPL 2026 onwards.

Why CSK Can’t Rely on Dhoni Anymore

While Dhoni is a legend and leader, pushing him beyond his physical limit hurts both him and the team. In 2025, his fitness was visibly a concern, and CSK’s strategies often had to be built around protecting Dhoni’s workload. MS Dhoni Drops Big Hint

Now, with his body not cleared by doctors, CSK should:

• Identify a long-term captain (possibly Ruturaj Gaikwad or another buy in the mini-auction).

• Plan a younger core team around which they can rebuild.

• Use Dhoni’s experience as a mentor or advisor in the dressing room.

What Fans Should Expect