New Delhi: Former India and Chennai Super Kings batter Robin Uthappa believes that there is no doubt regarding MS Dhoni’s future following the IPL 2026 season because the 44-year-old is expected to put up his boots at the end of the campaign. According to his former teammate, Dhoni is already getting ready for a mentorship role given CSK’s clear change in approach from supporting seasoned veterans to investing in young players without caps.
The Chennai Super Kings have drastically changed their strategy by supporting younger players rather than depending on more seasoned ones. Towards the close of the previous season, they experienced success with players like Dewald Brevis (22), Ayush Mhatre (18), and Urvil Patel (27).
At the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, CSK went one step further. For Rs 14.2 crore, they acquired Prashant Veer, a 19-year-old big-hitter and left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh. Kartik Sharma, a 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, was also acquired by the team for Rs 14.2 crore, making them the two most costly uncapped Indian players in the auction’s history.
The 44-year-old MS Dhoni continues to serve as a lower-order power hitter and wicketkeeper after being kept ahead of the IPL 2025 super auction. Midway through the previous season, he also assumed the captaincy after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined due to an injury.Uthappa On MS Dhoni’s Future
Uthappa thinks Dhoni’s move from player to mentor is coming, especially since Sanju Samson joined the team after being traded from the Rajasthan Royals.
“I think the writing is on the wall. This is clearly going to be MS Dhoni’s last season. No more conjecture, no more speculation about whether he is going to play another year or not. This year, he will be well and truly done,” Uthappa told JioHotstar on Tuesday.
“I think all the signs point towards that when you look at the investment in youth and the kind of teams they have picked since last year. They are focused on developing talent, uncovering talent and keeping that talent within the franchise,” he added.
Prior to the auction, CSK acquired middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan, 28, and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, 26, after trading Ravindra Jadeja to the Rajasthan Royals.
“It’s a fair call. If you can develop another Jadeja with the kind of mentorship MS Dhoni provides, along with the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, why not? That’s the direction you want to move in,” Uthappa said.
After Dhoni retires as a player, there is no question that he would be involved with the team in a mentoring capacity, according to Uthappa.
“We all know that if he is not playing, he will be mentoring the side. I think this year he will operate as a mentor-cum-player. He is already viewing things from that perspective, which is why they are bringing in players like these,” he said.
Over the past five IPL seasons, there has been constant speculation about Dhoni’s future. After leading CSK to the championship in 2023, it was anticipated that he would retire. However, Dhoni has continued his career in an effort to find the ideal farewell and to thank the devoted supporters who continue to show up in large numbers.
CSK put Rs 28.4 crore of their Rs 43.40 crore budget in just two uncapped young players out of the Rs 41 crore they spent on signing nine players.
