Will MS Dhoni Return to CSK? CEO Kasi Viswanathan Hints at IPL 2027

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan believes MS Dhoni still has more to give in the game. Dhoni is 45 now and has been out of the IPL this year due to injury. Viswanathan is hopeful of Dhoni playing another season with CSK. Prior to the IPL auction Kasi had told the local press that Dhoni would make his own decision as to whether he would play. That's how it's always been, with Dhoni letting the team know once he gets to Chennai.

Will MS Dhoni Return to CSK? Viswanathan Hopeful of Dhoni’s Return to CSK

MS Dhoni last IPL season was in 2025 as wicketkeeper and lower-order finisher. Following calf/thumb injury, he was not seen in the next. However, Viswanathan said Dhoni is still an active player and could well play for CSK again. Dhoni hasn’t made appearances in any of the IPL 2026 games, this is despite of the speculations about his final season. He was with the team, did training and was in the dugout supporting the boys throughout a very difficult season for CSK.

NOTE: Follow cricket news, football updates, live scores, match analysis, and other latest news.

Despite some criticism there, former CSK head coach Stephen Fleming was very supportive of Dhoni's off field role at the end of the season. According to him, Dhoni’s experience add a key value at the time of major changes in the team.

Will MS Dhoni Return to CSK? Following CSK's final home game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Fleming said Dhoni has been with the team all year and is still very much a part of the team. He hasn't played a game of course but he's still had a huge influence on the side. Fleming also hinted upon Dhoni’s expected return for the next IPL season.

Suresh Raina on MS Dhoni

Will MS Dhoni Return to CSK? During the Chennai Super Kings traditional lap of honour at Chepauk, Raina said he'd encouraged Dhoni to come back for IPL 2027, pointing out that the 2026 season shouldn't be his final one. He quipped that Dhoni had given 2026 a missed call so it doesn't count and he should be back in 2027. Raina pointed out that Dhoni will not be making any hasty move as playing professional cricket at this age is not that easy. Recalling Dhoni’s comments about his health, Raina is still hoping him to see in the game next year.

MS Dhoni IPL Future

Will MS Dhoni Return to CSK? Raina believes Dhoni hasn't ruled himself out of the picture which is a positive in his book. The decision is ultimately Dhoni's, but the team have been playing so well and the fans are obviously keen on the idea of him coming back. He could go out and work hard and play again. CSK are of course looking to the future as well and have already signed Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals prior to the IPL 2026 auction.

Samson scored 477 runs in his first season, but even with that the team had a very difficult year and finished 8th out of 10. That will be a big talking point as they go into the next season and review their squad ahead of the auction. The decision is with Dhoni, but Kasi's comments do suggest there's still a chance of one more season from the man who has been the cornerstone of CSK's success for the last 20 years.

Read More: