‘You cannot expect the old MS Dhoni who would come in and smash 30 off 10” – Ex-RCB batter’s huge remark on CSK legend ahead of IPL 2026

MS Dhoni (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/MB Media/Getty Images)

Former India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Mohammad Kaif opined that there is no point in using MS Dhoni as an Impact Player for his batting ability. Instead, Kaif believes that Dhoni’s presence on the field behind the stumps will prove to be beneficial for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Dhoni has mostly batted lower down the order in the last few editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Several fans and experts have urged the Chennai Super Kings’ management to promote the former India skipper in the batting order.

“Now, many people are saying that he should play as an Impact Player. I completely disagree, and he won’t play as an Impact Player either. There is no point. He bats at number eight, and at that position, he might face only 6 to 12 balls. For those few balls, he is already contributing by keeping wickets for 20 overs, getting that helicopter view from behind, setting the field, and helping Gaikwad with bowling changes. Whenever the team is under pressure, MS is involved. Even though Gaikwad is the captain and has done a good job, I feel the real control is still with Dhoni,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

The 45-year-old mentioned that Dhoni doesn’t play cricket outside the IPL, having retired from international cricket back in 2020. Kaif stated that expecting the 44-year-old to score 30 off 10 balls consistently would be far-fetched, even though he can play such knocks in a few games.

“So if you use him only as an Impact Player and ask him to just go and bat, that doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t play cricket throughout the year, so you cannot expect the old Dhoni who would come in and smash 30 off 10 balls. That won’t happen consistently. Maybe in one or two matches he can do it, like he did last year, but not regularly.”

I feel that moment might actually come: Kaif on MS Dhoni’s future

The cricketer-turned-commentator also opined that IPL 2026 could very well be the last time Dhoni plays in the tournament before hanging up his boots.

“Look, every year we say the same thing, but this year I feel that moment might actually come. There is never a guarantee with these things, and sometimes he doesn’t reveal his cards. Mahendra Singh Dhoni never shows his cards. He waits till the last match to decide which way things will go, no one really knows. Even CSK’s K S Viswanathan has often said that they don’t know what Dhoni’s plan is. Only he knows his own plan. Whether he will play, whether he is available, what his plan is, when he will stop or step aside, no one knows.”