This could well be M.S. Dhoni’s farewell season.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU
‘When you are at the bottom, the only way forward is up.’ It could well be Chennai Super Kings’ mantra for the 2026 season. The five-time champion slipped into an abyss last year, when it won just four games and had the ignominy of being handed the wooden spoon for the first time in its history.
The major problem was that it lacked the batting firepower to keep pace with its rivals, who had all pushed the game forward through their fearless approach to posting imposing totals.
Midway through the campaign, CSK course-corrected by drafting in promising youngsters like Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel as injury replacements, who now form a formidable core.
A more definitive indication of that shift came during the off-season, when it pulled off one of the biggest deals by signing Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals.
In the mini-auction, Super Kings, armed with a hefty purse, further splurged on two young uncapped Indian players, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, known for their power-hitting.
If the pitch at Chepauk resembles the featherbeds that were dished out during the recent T20 World Cup, expect some mammoth totals from the Yellow Brigade.
While the batting has been beefed up, bowling is an area of concern. Last season, only Khaleel Ahmed and Noor Ahmad were the standout performers with the ball, and a lot depends on them once again.
To make matters worse, pacer Nathan Ellis was ruled out a week ago. The Australian was expected to marshal the death overs, especially after Matheesha Pathirana was released. His replacement, Spencer Johnson, is coming off a long layoff and is expected to join only by April 21.
Even as the team tries to get its act together, one key question remains: how and where M.S. Dhoni fits into this equation. The 44-year-old’s prowess has been waning progressively, and he can bat just a few overs. Still, the experience he brings is vital for skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is finding his feet. It will be interesting to see how the former captain goes about it in what could be his farewell season.
Sport is replete with examples of storied franchises stuck in a rut of mediocre results while basking in past glory.
The Super Kings enter the 19th edition of the tournament in unfamiliar territory, having failed to qualify for the playoffs in two consecutive editions — a first for it — and will want to avoid falling into that trap.
Published – March 26, 2026 05:55 pm IST
