Chennai Super Kings missed out on qualification to the IPL playoffs for a third time on the trot as the five-time champions look to work out a formula to get back to their old glory.
The 2026 season was the first time CSK talisman MS Dhoni missed out on the entire campaign, with fans disheartened by the former skipper’s absence.
Former CSK all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin explained how difficult it is to cope with the demands of the IPL, especially given Dhoni’s advanced age, and added that the future of the superstar has to be left to his discretion.
“Let’s understand that most cricketers don’t play beyond the age of 40. But, Dhoni has played till 45. He’s done exceedingly well to make every IPL,” Ashwin said.
“The emotion behind MS Dhoni is one
of the crucial factors that has helped him stay relevant in the IPL even today,” he explained.
“No other cricketer, with cricketing prowess, will walk into the side. The past three, four years, he has turned up just for the emotion,” he stated.
“He had a high moment in 2023, and who are we to question his decision there on out?”
“At the same time, IPL is the highest form of competitive cricket in the world. And to play this year on year, without playing any competitive cricket is extremely difficult,” the former India spinner said.
“If you want to watch him play, go watch when he does,” he added.
“But if you want to watch good cricket, go watch CSK play next year, definitely they’d put on a good show.”
Chennai ended their sub-par IPL 2026 campaign with a hefty defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday to end their season with 6 wins and 8 defeats as the joint-most successful side in the history of the tournament succumbed to yet another group stage exit.
