‘I don’t see a point in MS Dhoni batting at No. 8 or 9’ – Ex-CSK batter urges superstar to bat above in IPL 2026

Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Cheteshwar Pujara has urged MS Dhoni to come up the order and make an even bigger impact on the game during the upcoming 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

For the past couple of campaigns, Dhoni has been coming in around number eight to give more opportunities to the younger player as the former skipper gets older.

Despite his age, Dhoni remains one of the biggest threats to the opposition whenever they face CSK. The 44-year-old played at a strike rate of 220.54 in 2024, which dropped to 135.17 last year. The former India captain, however, still remains one of the best wicketkeepers in the game even to this day.

“I don’t see a point in MS Dhoni batting at No. 8 or 9, because he has the potential to turn games around single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK team can do. If he bats for only five or ten balls, imagine what Mahi bhai can do if he plays 25 or 30 balls,” Pujara was quoted as saying on Jiostar.

Dhoni will be returning to the CSK squad ahead of the 2026 IPL season. There are question marks, however, on how many games the legendary wicketkeeper would play this time around. The five-time champions have also traded in Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals prior to the mini auction as a potential wicketkeeping option should Dhoni be forced to sit on the sidelines. 

Pujara has also praised the dressing room environment within the CSK setup. Having had first-hand experience of how things work within the camp, the former India batter said that once a player joins the Chennai outfit, they tend to stay there for a very long time.

“I’ve been in the CSK setup. In that environment, players are very comfortable; it’s like a family. When you’re in that setup, there is clarity about what is expected of you as a player. Loyalty also comes into the picture because most of CSK’s players, if you look at the history, stay for a long time once they become part of that setup. There is a transition in the team now, so there is a bit more preference for young players,” Pujara added.

CSK open their 2026 IPL campaign on March 30 against the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.