Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach Eric Simons has said that only MS Dhoni can decide whether he will return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) next season, while insisting the veteran wicketkeeper-batter
is still striking the ball brilliantly despite missing the entire 2026 campaign through injury.
CSK’s disappointing season ended with a crushing 89-run defeat to Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Thursday, leaving the five-time champions out of the playoffs for a third straight year since lifting the title in 2023. Much of the focus, however, remained on Dhoni, who was sidelined throughout the season because of a calf and leg injury.
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Speaking after the match, Simons revealed that MS Dhoni had looked in excellent touch during training sessions, even though his injury prevented him from running properly and taking the field.
“He has hit the ball so well. He obviously had a leg injury which made it very difficult for him to run. So, that’s why he couldn’t play. But in terms of hitting the ball in the nets, he’s hitting it as well as I’ve ever seen him hit it. But I keep saying this, only MS will know and MS will make the decision about when he’s ready and when he’s right.”
The former South Africa all-rounder stressed that Dhoni would never continue for personal reasons and would only return if he believed he could contribute fully to the team.
“And I tell you what, if he knows he’s not, he won’t play, but if he is right, he will. He’ll make the decision in the best interest of the team and not for himself as an individual. But, it would be great to have him playing. It’s been great just having him around the unit,” Simons said.
CSK Learnt With MSD Missing!
Despite another early exit, Simons said CSK had learned important lessons about the squad’s balance and depth during the season. He highlighted the emergence of younger players such as Kartik Tyagi and Urvil Patel as major positives.
“Someone like Kartik has come along magnificently this season. We know what he’s about. Urvil, we know what he’s about. We’ve come away from this tournament understanding ourselves as a unit better and that stands us in good stead,” the CSK bowling coach said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
