IPL 2026: CSK to Give MS Dhoni Farewell Match? R Ashwin Says THIS Condition Must be Fulfilled
Before IPL 2026 began it was expected MS Dhoni would miss up to six games due to a calf strain he was nursing. But now CSK have played 10 matches and Dhoni is yet to make an appearance. Their next match is on May 10 vs LSG and it is not confirmed if Dhoni shall play or not.
Will MS Dhoni Play in IPL 2026?There is a lot of speculation over Dhoni’s return and while IPL 2026 is not officially his final season, the veteran has less chance of returning in 2027 when he will be 45. He’s played in all editions from 2008 to 2025. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels it’s ‘very difficult’ for Dhoni to return to action. He also believes that he may get a farewell CSK game in IPL 2026 itself but the franchise will have to pay a heavy price for it.
Ashwin said the only way Dhoni could get a farewell game was if CSK got knocked out of the Playoffs race. He is of the opinion that will the object is to finish in the top four, the combination will not be changed just to accomodate Dhoni.
"If MS Dhoni comes, then the combination will be changed. It becomes very difficult, so I think there are very slim chances [of making a comeback]. If they lose two of their next three games, then he might get a farewell game in Chennai," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
CSK Still in IPL 2026 Playoffs RaceAt present, CSK are in 6th place with five wins in 10 games. If they win three out of four matches, they have a chance to finish in the top four while four wins would seal the deal. One more loss would leave them dependent on other results while two defeats would knock them out of the race.
MS Dhoni Is an IPL LegendCSK have won five IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023. All of them were under Dhoni. Dhoni holds the IPL records for most titles as captain (shared with Rohit Sharma), runs without a 100, runs as a keeper, dismissals as a keeper, final appearances as a player, games as skipper, wins as skipper and games as player. He officially became an uncapped player in 2025 as it had been over five years since he last played international cricket and CSK roped him in for Rs. 4 crore. It remains to be seen if he will play in IPL 2026.