Amidst all the speculation surrounding Mahendra Singh Dhoni's future, former Indian cricketer and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Robin Uthappa has made a significant statement. Uthappa believes that IPL 2026 will be Dhoni's last season, after which he will definitely retire. Regarding the 44-year-old Dhoni, Uthappa said that there is no room for any further speculation.
CSK's Changed Strategy
According to Uthappa, CSK's recent strategy clearly indicates that the franchise has prepared for the future. Instead of relying on experienced players, the team is now investing heavily in young and uncapped players. In the IPL 2026 mini-auction, CSK spent a total of Rs 28.20 crore on two young cricketers. CSK bought 19-year-old Uttar Pradesh spin all-rounder Prashant Veer for Rs 14.20 crore. Additionally, 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Kartik Sharma was also included in the team for Rs 14.20 crore, making both of them the most expensive uncapped Indian players in IPL auction history.
Indications of a Change in Dhoni's Role
In a conversation with JioCinema, Robin Uthappa said, "I think everything is clear now. This is going to be MS Dhoni's last season. There is no need for any more speculation. After this year, he will completely retire. The way CSK has been investing in young players for the past few seasons shows that the team is focusing on finding, nurturing, and retaining talent for the long term."
Dhoni in a Mentoring Role
Uthappa believes that Dhoni will remain associated with CSK even after retiring from playing. He said, "Even if Dhoni doesn't play, he will definitely mentor the team. This season, he will be seen in a mentor-cum-player role. He is already looking at things from that perspective." Uthappa also described Sanju Samson's presence at CSK and Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy as preparations for the future.
Big spending on young players
CSK spent ₹41 crore out of their ₹43.40 crore purse in the mini-auction, with ₹28.4 crore being spent on just two uncapped players. This is a clear indication that the franchise is building a strong foundation for the post-Dhoni era. While this might be an emotional moment for Dhoni's fans, it is considered a well-thought-out and far-sighted strategy for CSK.
Street Fighter Teaser: Action-packed 'Street Fighter' teaser, Vidyut Jammwal's powerful look shines in Hollywood
Actor Vidyut Jammwal, known for his powerful action in Bollywood, will now be seen showcasing his prowess in Hollywood. He's set to make waves in Hollywood's most anticipated action thriller, Street
Which player in the Indian team is the hardest worker? Yashasvi Jaiswal named this player, not Kohli.
Indian team's aggressive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal revealed that Shubman Gill is a very hardworking player in the national team. Yashasvi Jaiswal surprised fans by not mentioning Virat Kohli's name.
Stranger Things 5: The trailer for Volume 2 shows a terrifying glimpse of the final battle. What will happen in the final chapter?
The end of Stranger Things is almost here, and Netflix has just given fans a glimpse of what's to come. On Monday, the streaming platform released a brand-new trailer for Season 5 Volume 2, setting
Rajinikanth: Worship at Rajinikanth temple, fans gather outside his home; 'Thalaiva's' 75th birthday celebrated in theatre.
Tamil superstar "Thalaivaa" Rajinikanth is celebrating his 75th birthday today. Fans and celebrities alike are wishing him well. Meanwhile, several videos have gone viral on social media, showing fans
West Bengal SIR Row: Election Commission's special observer says hearing objections is more complex and challenging than conducting a census.
The hearing phase of the voter list revision in West Bengal is at a challenging juncture. Subrata Gupta, the special observer appointed by the Election Commission in the state, told news agency PTI
Tobacco and cigarettes to become more expensive: Excise duty laws notified after Parliament passes bill, find out how much will change
The government has notified the Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025, significantly increasing the excise duty on all tobacco and its products. Under the Central Excise Act, 1944, cigarettes were
Zaira Wasim lashed out over the hijab controversy, demanding an apology from Nitish Kumar; the video has sparked a huge uproar.
Bihar politics has once again been embroiled in controversy. A video of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is rapidly going viral on social media, showing him removing a hijab from a female doctor's face
IndiGo Crisis: Supreme Court refuses to intervene in IndiGo flight cancellation case, advises petitioner to approach Delhi High Court.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding the cancellation of hundreds of flights by IndiGo Airlines. The court directed the petitioner, Narendra Mishra,
Delhi-NCR's air is toxic: The capital has turned into a gas chamber, and the situation has worsened in the NCR as well; the AQI has reached 500 in several areas.
Slow wind speeds and adverse weather conditions have turned Delhi into a gas chamber. For the third consecutive day on Monday, the air quality was recorded in the severe category. The morning began
Weather Update: Fog turns deadly; more than 30 vehicles collide in Uttar Pradesh, the situation is also bad in Rajasthan; several flights are delayed.
Several people lost their lives in separate accidents across North India due to dense fog. Six people died in Uttar Pradesh alone, while a couple in Punjab lost their lives when their car fell from a
