New Delhi: Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni is most likely to hang up his boots after theIPL 2026. The legendary wicketkeeper has been playing constantly in the league since its beginning and is preparing for the 19th edition of the IPL.

Dhoni has scored 5439 runs in 278 IPL matches and has been a crucial player for the CSK, leading the franchise to five IPL titles. He stepped down from the captaincy after winning the trophy in 2024 and handed it to Ruturaj Gaikwad. He briefly led the team last year after Gaikwad was ruled out of the IPL 2025 due to injury.

Speaking on JioHotstar, former CSK batter Uthappa said that IPL 2026 is likely to be Dhoni’s last year in the yellow jersey, and he will play mentor-cum-player role in the upcoming season.

“IPL 2026 is likely to be his last year in the yellow jersey. I see him playing more of a mentor-cum-player role this year. I don’t see him batting at number seven. I see him batting at number eight. Knowing that he is on his way out, he wants to wean himself out. I think he will do that. Only then will we see the true potential of Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain,” Uthappa said on JioHotstar.

The 44-year-old arrived in Chennai in early March and has been training with the squad in full intensity. Dhoni had also started light training sessions in his hometown weeks before joining CSK, indicating a clear intent to be fully ready for upcoming season.

The Chennai-based franchise finished at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table, winning just four matches out of the 14, and will look to bounce back strongly in the upcoming season. CSK will play their opening match against the Rajasthan Royals on March 30.