Though M. S. Dhoni will be available for every match for Chennai Super King for the IPL 2023, openings remain for the Sino-Indian cricket management order to choose his role as the batman, a wicketkeeper, or an Impact Player. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed this and said that ‘He will play the matches, all matches.’
This confirmation, the preparation, and Dhoni
Viswanathan said, “He will play all the matches.” The franchise officially confirmed that Dhoni would be an active player this season, rather than an occasional mentor. Dhoni has been training in Chennai since early March, after doing whatever he could in his hometown of Ranchi just recently.
The roles of Dhoni remain open
Dhoni might either start as a wicketkeeper-batter, play with strictly the bat, or be employed as an Impact Player. The coaching staff will be making its complementary decision based on a whole host of permutations involving match-ups, opposition bowlers’ reputations, and fitness of several options. For example, Sanju Samson, who can also bat in any position and be asesett keeper, would also be a factor in the team’s available choices.
Past injuries and field readiness to play
Dhoni has had to deal with numerous knee-related issues as well as tearing his hamstring in recent years; his left knee was operated on in June 2023. He has restricted himself to late-overs batting only because of his injuries and been delivering cameos more often than not. Even so, he has not missed a single match for CSK since 2019, and his performance was so good in 2025 that his five games made him the team’s second-best batsman in terms of runs scored (196 runs) due to a fabulous strike rate of 135.
Team changes after trades and auctions
CSK did better at the auction by picking up Sanju Samson in a trade and keeping hold of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and others. In return, the club let go of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. The Franchise particularly bagged two uncapped players for INR 14.20 crores apiece and accessed international talent at differing values.
Samson’s strategic and global impact on his best days during the World-Cup
Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube both featured in the World Cup-winning T-20 unit from India in 2026, bringing recent intense level form to CSK which inspires confidence for a middle-order. Hence, with respect to vintage high-quality leadership, as with anything in sports, this added to CSK’s knack of skipping from the batting to wicket-keeping. The coaching staff will have to prep across high temperatures during the IPL season between immediate match management and long-term squad development.
Historic legs and the pending season
On his break during IPL 2024, Dhoni left Ruturaj Gaikwad in his stead but later played a significant number of games in the tournament in 2025 because Gaikwad was ruled out. The 2025 tournament showcased CSK’s short coming and bottom-line finish, and as a result, IPL 2026 will be an arduous test of all roster depth and in-game strategies. Wielding the greatest ever fortune with his experience, Dhoni will play his resources-the further he bats, the more powerful his strategies-get at wicket-keeping, and some multifold atlas of strategy from the field.
CSK begins to roll on the front, with its first match of IPL 2026 away to Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Guwahati, having already extended its early greetings. How the coaching staff positions him will be one of the most crucial topics to look forward to, especially when new signings and returning internationals make for an intense selection discussion.
As of now, the word from the board of CSK is the presence of MS Dhoni in the playing XI for every match; however the roles he plays during matches will be under the control of the cricketing staff, and that too, in a very judicious and need-wise manner. This mix of presence with tactical surprises gives the team considerable play as the months unfold.
