Manjrekar urges CSK to prioritise results over Dhoni sentiment in IPL 2026
Sanjay Manjrekar argues Chennai Super Kings must focus on team balance and the points table rather than the legacy of MS Dhoni, who missed the entire season due to injury.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has stated that MS Dhoni’s participation is irrelevant for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2026 season, urging the franchise to prioritise team balance and results over sentiment. Manjrekar criticised CSK for becoming overly emotional about the injured former captain, noting that forcing Dhoni into the squad despite his fitness struggles and age was the team’s primary error.
Dhoni missed the entire 2026 season due to injuries, though his presence remained a significant talking point. Brief hopes of a comeback were sparked by his appearance at Chepauk during a matchday, but he was subsequently ruled out again. Manjrekar expressed exhaustion with the ongoing discourse surrounding Dhoni, telling the Sportstar Podcast that he has "got nothing left to say" about the icon.
The former India batter clarified that his admiration for Dhoni’s legacy remains unchanged, suggesting that a younger Dhoni could have led the current CSK side to the playoffs with his leadership skills. However, he identified CSK’s primary error this season as attempting to force Dhoni into the squad despite his fitness struggles and age.
Manjrekar advised the franchise to "be emotional about the reality, the performances, your current standing, the points table" rather than player sentiment. He argued that CSK must prioritise team balance, current performances, and results over sentiment, marking a shift from the emotional anchor Dhoni historically provided.
Reports confirm Dhoni appeared at Chepauk during a matchday, sparking fan hope for a comeback, but was subsequently ruled out again due to injury. The IPL 2026 season is currently underway, with other matches such as Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings taking place, where Gujarat Titans defeated Punjab Kings by chasing down a target of 163/9.
Dhoni’s potential return has been a persistent speculation throughout the 2026 season, driven by his iconic status and previous successful tenures with the franchise. Manjrekar’s comments highlight the tension between the emotional weight of Dhoni’s legacy and the pragmatic demands of modern franchise cricket.
The specific nature and severity of Dhoni’s "multiple injuries" are not detailed in the source material. The exact timeline of Dhoni’s appearance at Chepauk relative to the specific matchday is mentioned but not explicitly dated beyond the general 2026 season context.
