MS Dhoni 'personally told me that he won’t play': Ex-CSK star's big revelation adds to IPL uncertainty

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath said that MS Dhoni is not keen on playing as an Impact Player while speculation continues on the wicketkeeper-batter’s playing future in IPL" class="text-primary-600 hover:text-primary-700 dark:text-primary-400 dark:hover:text-primary-300 underline transition-colors font-medium" title="View IPL cricket series">IPL" class="text-primary-600 hover:text-primary-700 dark:text-primary-400 dark:hover:text-primary-300 underline transition-colors font-medium" title="View IPL cricket series">IPL" class="text-primary-600 hover:text-primary-700 dark:text-primary-400 dark:hover:text-primary-300 underline transition-colors font-medium" title="View IPL cricket series">IPL" class="text-primary-600 hover:text-primary-700 dark:text-primary-400 dark:hover:text-primary-300 underline transition-colors font-medium" title="View IPL cricket series">IPL. Dhoni's fitness has been a talking point as the legendary skipper has been battling infirmities for some time now and even underwent knee surgery after leading CSK to a record-equalling fifth IPL title triumph in 2023.

He battled several fitness problems that started to bother him well before the season's first ball was bowled and finished the IPL 2026 without playing a single match.

“He (Dhoni) has personally told me that he won’t play as an Impact Player," Badrinath said on his YouTube channel. “He sees himself as a full-time keeper, and that means he has to be on the field for the full 20 overs. So, he won’t play as an Impact Player, but I feel if he does, it’ll tactically benefit CSK. His body cannot withstand long durations, which even Fleming has said. He is only going to bat after the 16th over and keep wickets. When his participation is so less, he would be ideal as an Impact Player," Badrinath said.

The Impact Player rule could potentially have offered the veteran wicketkeeper-batter a way to prolong his IPL career further by reducing his workload, but Dhoni has made it clear that he wants to remain a full-time wicketkeeper if he continues playing.

However, Dhoni's preference to continue as a wicketkeeper means CSK may have to wait for a decision on whether their long-time captain will return for another season.

Dhoni, who led CSK to five IPL titles, stepped down as captain ahead of the 2024 season and has since played a more limited role with the bat.