IPL 2026: MS Dhoni announces CSK captain, team prep for next season

MS Dhoni has revealed that Ruturaj Gaikwad will return as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026. Gaikwad broke his arm in the first game of the tournament, and injury problems forced him to end his season last season. Dhoni replaced CSK’s captain Gaikwad and captained the team in his place.

“We are a bit concerned about our batting order. But I believe our batting order is pretty sorted out now. Rutu will return. He has been injured. But he will return. So, we are pretty sorted now,” Dhoni said at a private function in Chennai. He also admitted the team’s poor performance in IPL 2025, saying, “I won’t say we took it easy, but there were certain gaps that we had to fill in.”

Dhoni emphasized the importance of identifying areas for improvement and said, “Yes, the last two years have not been good for us. We have not been up to the mark. But you should focus on the learnings.” He thanked followers of CSK for their unwavering, constant support and promised to provide better results moving forward.

“We do discuss the processes. But at the same time, we do wish the outcome to happen in our favor. Last year, it was not there. But looking forward, we will try to clear majority of the things and we will hopefully be at our best,” Dhoni explained.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is included in the West Zone team for the Duleep Trophy, which will start later this month. CSK should be looking to invest in a future core group and could do so by retaining Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, and Devon Conway. They will also be scouting for fresh faces from the domestic league to increase the depth in their side.

Dhoni reminiscing about his long-term association with Chennai, “It’s a very long relationship that we have had. 2005 was the time when I made my Test debut which happened to be in Chennai.” He also emphasized how CSK assisted him in becoming a better person and cricketer, and how he was thankful to the team’s dedicated fan base.