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Be Careful Wishing for MS Dhoni’s Retirement: Michael Clarke’s Massive IPL 2026 Verdict

Siyan Sethi
· 3 min read
MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni‘s IPL Future: A Discussion That’s Getting Bigger by the Day

The discussion around MS Dhoni and his IPL future is getting bigger with every passing day. The legendary wicketkeeper has not played a single match for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL 2026 due to a calf injury, leading to massive speculations among fans and cricket pundits.

A Calf Injury and Uncertainty

Dhoni suffered a calf injury during CSK’s pre-season training camp earlier this year and has been recovering since then. He has missed all 10 matches for CSK this season. Over the last couple of seasons, Dhoni’s batting role had also become smaller, as he bats at No.7 or No.8, which led many to feel that the legendary wicketkeeper-batter’s playing career is all but ended.

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Michael Clarke’s Verdict: Dhoni Still Has a Crucial Role to Play

However, former Australian captain Michael Clarke feels people should stop pushing Dhoni towards retirement. Clarke believes that Dhoni is still very important for Chennai Super Kings and Indian cricket, even if he is not playing every match anymore.

Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, “MS Dhoni is CSK. If you go watch a CSK game, everyone has the No. 7 yellow jersey on. In terms of sponsors coming to the team, every sponsor would want MS Dhoni to be part of that team. He is significant in India and CSK. Age should not matter, though. No one can convince me that there is a better keeper than MS Dhoni. He’s still the best wicketkeeper in T20s. He is also one of a kind. So, people need to be careful in wishing him to retire.”

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Avoid Wishing for Dhoni’s Retirement

Another reason Clarke wants fans to enjoy Dhoni’s playing days for longer is that he feels the former India captain will not be associated with the game after retirement.

“When he retires, we probably won’t see him involved in cricket. He certainly won’t commentate. I doubt he will stay on as a mentor with CSK. I can’t imagine him going into coaching. So, I would urge people not to wish him to go out soon and try to keep him involved in the sport,” Clarke added.

Dhoni’s Role in the CSK Team

Clarke also said that Dhoni’s role in the CSK team has changed with time, so even if he bats lower down the order or plays a smaller role with the bat, he still remains crucial for the team.

“There is also a lot of chat that he has to bat higher up the order. No, he doesn’t. There are a lot of wicketkeepers that are not good enough to bat in the top four. They come in and do a job at No.5, 6, or 7. Dhoni can do that. He doesn’t need a C beside his name to be captain. He can help as a leader and a senior player without being the captain,” Clarke signed off.

  • MS Dhoni has not played a single match for CSK in IPL 2026 due to a calf injury.
  • Michael Clarke believes Dhoni still has a crucial role to play for CSK and Indian cricket.
  • Clarke urges fans to be careful what they wish for and enjoy Dhoni’s playing days for longer.
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Siyan Sethi

Siyan Sethi is a senior cricket correspondent for The Telegraph India, widely regarded as one of the freshest and most thoughtful voices covering women's cricket in the country. A graduate of Chennai's M.O.P. Vaishnav College, she began her career reporting on college and university women's tournaments before transitioning to the national beat. Siyan follows the Indian women's team at every ICC event and has been a constant presence through the transformative early years of the Women's Premier League. Her writing is known for combining sharp tactical observation—particularly around the rise of power‑hitting and athletic fielding—with a deep commitment to tracking the grassroots pathways that bring young girls from small‑town academies into the professional game. Siyan also contributes comparative pieces on global T20 leagues such as The Hundred and the WBBL, placing Indian developments in an international context. A RedInk Award recipient, she is committed to challenging gender biases in sports media and creating space for the next generation of female cricket storytellers.

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